THE IMPACT OF SARS-COV-2 INFECTION ON MALE FERTILITY: AN INTEGRATIVE REVIEW

Abstract

Male infertility may result from testicular and hormonal alterations caused by infections, affecting emotional, social, and quality-of-life aspects. Recent studies have shown that the SARS-CoV-2 virus can penetrate various human tissues, including urothelial cells and seminiferous duct cells, and interfere with endocrine parameters, raising the hypothesis of its impact on male fertility. This study aimed to analyze the effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection on male fertility. A search was conducted in the PubMed and LILACS databases using the descriptors “infertility” AND “covid” AND “infection.” Articles published between 2020 and 2025, available in full text and free of charge, and classified as clinical trials, systematic reviews, or observationalstudies were included. Texts without a direct relationship to the topic and duplicates were excluded. After screening, 12 articles were fully analyzed. Of these, eight reported na association between infection and alterations in spermatogenesis, indicating a significant impact of COVID-19 on testicular function. Three studies also observed transient hypogonadism possibly related to the virus. It is concluded that SARS-CoV-2 infection may affect male fertility both directly and indirectly; however, the duration and reversibility of these effects still require further investigation.