RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN COVID-19 INFECTION AND MALE INFERTILITY: AN INTEGRATIVE REVIEW

Abstract

Male infertility is estimated to affect approximately 8% to 12% of couples of reproductive age, and this rate tends to increase due to the impacts of SARS-CoV-2. Objective: To investigate the relationship between male infertility and infection by the COVID-19 virus. Method: This is an integrative review carried out in the PubMed, Virtual Health Library (VHL), and CAPES Journal Portal databases, using paired combinations of the DeCS/MeSH descriptors: “Infertility Male,” “COVID-19,” and “Urology.” Search filters applied: publications from the last 5 years, in Portuguese, English, and Spanish, with full-text availability. A total of 23 articles were selected for the final discussion. Results: Of the total, 10 articles were retrieved from the CAPES Journal Portal (43.48%); 9 from PubMed (38.13%), and 4 were selected from the VHL (17.39% of the findings). In agreement, authors state that the virus may impair spermatogenesis and semen quality, and cause endocrine and inflammatory disorders as well as psychological repercussions. Conclusion: The SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 scenario remains a recent issue, with long-term impacts still under investigation. However, current literature suggests that the virus may lead to testicular dysfunction, trigger inflammatory processes, hormonal imbalances, and erectile dysfunction, which may contribute to male infertility.