Is there an impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on male fertility? The ACE2 connection.

Is there an impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on male fertility? The ACE2 connection. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. 2020 May 18;: Authors: Younis JS, Abassi Z, Skorecki K Abstract The viral pandemic of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), generated by a novel mutated severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), is turning into a serious worldwide public health emergency, evolving exponentially. While the main organ targeted in this diseased are the lungs, other vital organs such as the heart and kidney may be implicated. The main host receptor of the SARS-CoV-2 is angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), a major component of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS). The ACE2 is also involved in testicular male regulation of steroidogenesis, and spermatogenesis. As the SARS-CoV-2 may have the potential to infect the testis via ACE2, and adversely affect male reproductive system, it is essential to commence with targeted studies to learn from current pandemic, with the possibility of preemptive intervention depending on findings and the time course of the continued pandemic. PMID: 32421367 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: American Journal of Physiology. Endocrinology and Metabolism - Category: Physiology Authors: Tags: Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab Source Type: research