The role of transmission microscopy in assessing morphometric changes in spermatozoa of fertile and infertile men who have had COVID-19
- Authors: Prokop Y.O.1, Ibishev K.S.1, Pogozhaeva M.A.1, Sinelnik E.A.1, Kogan M.I.1
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Affiliations:
- Rostov State Medical University
- Issue: No 4 (2025)
- Pages: 48-52
- Section: Andrology
- URL: https://journals.rcsi.science/1728-2985/article/view/316546
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.18565/urology.2025.4.48-52
- ID: 316546
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Abstract
Introduction. As COVID-19-induced disorders wreak havoc on populations worldwide, attention to the rehabilitation of the consequences has focused mainly on vital organ systems (lungs, kidneys, and heart) that are vulnerable to the initial viral attack and contribute to the development of acute pathology associated with this disease. However, we should not lose sight of the fact that COVID-19 affects any cells in the body that express ACE2, including human sperm.
Materials and Methods. The results of transmission electron microscopy of the ejaculate of 157 men were analyzed. They were divided into four groups: Group I – 49 patients with idiopathic infertility who had COVID-19, Group II – 42 patients with idiopathic infertility who did not have COVID-19 during the study, Group III – 39 fertile men who had COVID-19, Group IV – 27 fertile men who did not have COVID-19. Objective: To study the role of sperm mitochondrial dysfunction in the development of male infertility associated with COVID-19.
Results. According to transmission microscopy of the ejaculate, men who brought COVID-19 have severe sperm disorders, such as mitochondrial dysfunction and the presence of residual cytoplasm, which were more often recorded in infertile patients, compared to fertile men.
Conclusions. COVID-19 impairs male reproductive potential and may impair male fertility.
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##article.viewOnOriginalSite##About the authors
Yan O. Prokop
Rostov State Medical University
Email: unprocop@mail.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0001-5340-9406
Postgraduate Student at the Urology and Human Reproductive Health Department (with a Course of Pediatric Urology and Andrology)
Russian Federation, 29, Nakhichevansky Lane, Rostov-on-Don, 344022Khalid S. Ibishev
Rostov State Medical University
Author for correspondence.
Email: ibishev22@mail.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-2954-842X
Dr. Sc. (Med.), Professor at the Urology and Human Reproductive Health Department (with a Course of Pediatric Urology and Andrology)
Russian Federation, 29, Nakhichevansky Lane, Rostov-on-Don, 344022Maria A. Pogozhaeva
Rostov State Medical University
Email: m_tapo@mail.ru
Student of the Medical Faculty
Russian Federation, 29, Nakhichevansky Lane, Rostov-on-Don, 344022Elena A. Sinelnik
Rostov State Medical University
Email: 127pao.ob2@mail.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-2201-5065
Assistant at the Pathological Anatomy Department
Russian Federation, 29, Nakhichevansky Lane, Rostov-on-Don, 344022Mikhail I. Kogan
Rostov State Medical University
Email: dept_kogan@mail.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-1710-0169
Dr. Sc. (Med.), Professor, Honored Scientist of the Russian Federation, Head of the Urology and Human Reproductive Health Department (with a Course of Pediatric Urology and Andrology)
Russian Federation, 29, Nakhichevansky Lane, Rostov-on-Don, 344022References
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