Chemiluminescence analysis of free radical processes in seminal plasma of men with pathospermia who have undergone COVID-19 infection

Abstract

Introduction. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, it seems relevant to study the clinical features and the effect of the SARS-CoV-2 virus on the reproductive system and male fertility.The study objective was to assess the intensity of oxidative processes in the seminal plasma of men with pathozoospermia after suffering a COVID-19 infection.Materials and methods. Spermogram parameters were assessed in accordance with the criteria of the 2010 WHO Guidelines, 5th edition, for the study and processing of human ejaculate two to three months after the patient received a negative polymerase chain reaction result of a nasopharyngeal swab for SARS-CoV-2 DNA. The intensity of free radical processes in seminal plasma was investigated by the method of chemiluminescence induced by ions of bivalent iron. Results. A decrease in sperm motility and an increase in the number of leukocytes were found in men with pathozoospermia who had undergone COVID-19 infection. There are lower levels of indicators such as ejaculate volume, total sperm concentration and the number of morphologically normal sperm forms. An increased ability to generate reactive oxygen species in seminal plasma was revealed in pathozoospermia and COVID-19.Conclusions. The results obtained indicate that SARS-CoV-2 affects the male reproductive system directly or indirectly and has a negative effect on male reproductive health, causing the activation of lipid peroxidation processes and spermatogenic insufficiency.

Keywords

• covid-19
• infertility
• men
• oxidative stress
• chemiluminescence
• seminal plasma