An unproven theory from the journal Reproduction, on Friday, reported that COVID-19 might reduce the fertility in men by killing the sperm cells. The French researchers, who worked on the theory, suggested that COVID-19 might increase oxidative stress and inflammation, which caused the death of sperm cells.
The deadly virus infected 10 crore people worldwide and resulted in the loss of 22 lakh lives. These findings provide the first direct experimental evidence that the male reproductive system could be targeted and damaged by COVID-19, wrote the authors.
Experts from across the world, who studied the research, said that COVID-19s capacity to weaken mens reproductive system remained unproven and added that it compromised the respiratory system in the patients and was vulnerable to those with pre-conditions.
The virus could infect the male reproductive system as the same receptors it used to damage the lungs, were also found in the male testicles. However, the viruss ability to damage sperm strength remained unclear.
The data was collected from an analysis, which was conducted on 84 infected men and was compared to the results of 105 non- COVID infected men. In the infected patients, sperm cells showed a significant increase in makers of oxidative stress, which damaged DNA and proteins in the body.