The coronavirus continues to surprise us, and the most unexpected news is its ability to strike men below the waist.
–
American scientists have shown that it can persist in the testicles of men who have had even a mild form of COVID-19. And Chinese doctors found him in semen. What does this mean for us? Is coronavirus sexually transmitted? Is it able to cause infertility in men?
–
Read also
—-
We are talking about this with a leading specialist in pediatric andrology, the head of the City Center for Reproductive Health, corresponding member RANS, professor, doctor of medical sciences Dmitry Tarusin.
–
Alexander Melnikov, A&F: Dmitry Igorevich, how do you evaluate these studies from the USA and China?
–
Dmitry Tarusin: They raised very important questions. Although now the main efforts should be aimed at preventing the development of a pandemic and saving people from an immediate threat to their lives. But ahead of us, no doubt, the consequences of this infection await. And this is very sad, especially against the background of the fact that male fertility has already suffered quite seriously in the last 50 years.
–
What is the connection?
– How can coronavirus affect fertility? As comedians say, where are the lungs and where are the testicles – what’s the connection?
–
– First of all, I remind you that viruses are already well known that can make men infertile. Probably everyone knows that this can be after mumps (mumps). It is less known that some types of herpes viruses may also act. This is due to the presence in the cells involved in the development of sperm, special targets for which mumps viruses beat. As a result, these cells are affected and healthy sperm cells do not form, which leads to infertility.
–
Coronavirus can also affect cells involved in sperm development.
–
Read also
—-
Why is this possible? We well know that it attacks a special protein located on the cell membrane (it has a very long and obscure name, and for brevity it is designated as ACE2). It plays the role of an entrance gate for the entry of coronavirus into the cell. Inside, it multiplies, kills it and spreads throughout the body. So, since ACE2 is in the cells of the alveoli – these are the respiratory sacs that make up the lungs – the coronavirus causes pneumonia. Everyone knows that. But there are ACE2 in the structures of the testis. And therefore, if this virus enters here, then the gates for it are also open, as in the lungs.
–
“And what are the consequences?”
–
– Firstly, the ACE2 protein is extremely rich in those stem cells from which sperm develop. Andrologists are well aware that their damage usually leads to a halt in the formation of spermatozoa in the very early stages of development.
–
– That is, we can say that cuts this process on the vine?
–
Read also
—-
– Exactly. But that’s not all. ACE2 is abundant in Leydig cells – they produce the male hormone testosterone. It is extremely important for potency and for the health of the entire male body in general. Plus coronavirus, it seems, can also affect Sertoli cells. These are such “houses for sperm.”
–
– Terrible prospects are obtained. Since coronavirus is found inside sperm, does this mean that it can be transmitted to the fetus at conception? And what could it lead to?
–
– For anything. For example, to transmit the virus from husband to wife. And during the fertilization of the egg, to the transfer to the fetus of abnormal chromosomes damaged by the virus, or the transfer of virus fragments (transcripts) embedded in ribosome RNAs (these are intracellular structures on which the protein is synthesized). We still cannot conclusively say what this will lead to – infection of a woman, pathology of fetal development etc. This is a completely new problem, we do not have long-term observations.
–
But we know that the reproductive system is vulnerable and the consequences can be serious.
–
Using the herpes simplex virus as an example, we know that these microorganisms can live inside sperm. This using electron microscopy was proved by our famous reproductive biologist Professor Elizabeth Bragin. We have yet to find out all the consequences of this, and such studies have already begun in Russia. I add that the coronavirus can also affect the prostate. This will be manifested by problems with urination and pain during intercourse.
–
Catastrophe or not?
– Do you assume a catastrophic scenario?
–
– I can’t conclusively talk about it now, but I’m quite sure that the risks are extremely high.
–
Therefore, I would advise anyone who is ill with COVID-19 or who is infected, to practice only protected sex with a condom.
–
And to those young men who do not yet have children and who have not had COVID-19, I will say directly – you have a direct road to the sperm bank. It is possible that she will be needed for IVF (in vitro fertilization), when you decide to become a father.
–
– But this is only part of the problem, ACE2 protein is in other organs.
–
– Indeed, it is present in many organs. And we already know that diarrhea (diarrhea), also encountered with COVID-19, is associated with the presence of ACE2 in the intestine, and kidney damage in hypertensive patients is associated with the fact that it is in the kidneys. It is ubiquitous in the brain, which is why some patients have symptoms of loss of smell. This is due to damage to myelin, the “nerve fiber isolator”. because of the virus affects the special cells that produce it.
–
By the way, there is evidence that it can affect the uterus, ovaries and placenta in women. APF2 proteins are also there, and experts are already talking about possible infertility.
–
because of Such a wide presence of these proteins in the body and in the reproductive system involuntarily comes to mind conspiracy theories about the “golden billion”. After all, it is possible that many ill will remain barren. But that’s me, by the way.
–
– You have been working in the reproductive system all your life and understand better than others the subtle mechanisms of its work. You see some ways to solve the problem?
–
– We will actively study this issue, and it will be international cooperation. Here is one of the directions. There are drugs that block ACE. Hypertonics and cores take them. It is believed that they increase the risk of COVID-19. Perhaps the solution will be that we find ACE stimulants that make it difficult to transmit the virus to those cells in the body that it can infect.
