COVID-19 Infection Linked to Increased Anxiety in Offspring via Sperm Changes,Study Finds
Melbourne,Australia – A groundbreaking new study from the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health has revealed a potential long-term outcome of COVID-19 infection: changes in sperm that may lead to increased anxiety-like behavior in offspring. Researchers found that male mice infected with COVID-19 exhibited alterations in their sperm’s genetic material, and their pups displayed heightened anxiety levels compared to those fathered by uninfected mice.
the findings, published this month, suggest that the virus may be able to impact future generations not through direct infection, but through epigenetic changes passed down via sperm. If thes results translate to humans, the implications for public health could be considerable, possibly affecting millions of children worldwide and their families.
The study focused on epigenetic changes – alterations to gene expression without changes to the underlying DNA sequence – within the sperm of infected male mice. Researchers observed these changes and later noted increased anxiety-like behaviors in the offspring,specifically in tests measuring risk assessment and social interaction.
“If our findings translate to humans, this could impact millions of children worldwide, and their families, with major implications for public health,” said Florey Institute researcher Dr. Hannan. Further research is needed to determine whether similar changes occur in human sperm and whether thay correlate with behavioral outcomes in children born to fathers who contracted COVID-19.
The COVID-19 pandemic, which began in early 2020, has officially resulted in over seven million deaths globally, according to the World Health Organization, though the actual death toll is believed to be considerably higher. Beyond the immediate health crisis, the pandemic and related restrictions have had a profound impact on mental health, notably among young people who experienced critical social disruptions. A 2023 review of 40 studies across 15 countries,published in Nature Human Behaviour,found that children have yet to fully recover from learning gaps caused by pandemic-era school closures.This new research adds another layer of concern regarding the long-term consequences of the pandemic on the well-being of future generations.
