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Is sexual transmission of COVID-19 possible?
At the time of the crown crisis, we tried to prevent COVID-19 from spreading as effectively as possible. Knowing the different routes of transmission is important to protect yourself and others from illness. The question naturally arises whether COVID-19 can also be transmitted sexually. An international study has concluded that sperm are unlikely to spread COVID-19.
The latest University of Utah research found that COVID-19 apparently cannot be transmitted by sperm. The results of the study were published in the English magazine “Fertility & Sterility”.
There is no evidence of COVID-19 in sperm or testicles.
In the international investigation of Chinese men who had COVID-19, no evidence was found in the sperm or testes for the virus that causes COVID-19. This makes COVID-19 highly unlikely to spread through sperm.
Sexual transmission cannot be completely excluded
However, the study was not complete enough to completely rule out the possibility of sexual transmission of the disease, the researchers report. However, the fact that the virus that causes COVID-19 does not appear in the testicles or semen in this small preliminary study could be an important finding, study author Dr. James M. Hotaling of the University of Utah. .
If a disease like COVID-19 were sexually transmitted, it would have a significant impact on disease prevention and could have serious consequences for a man’s long-term reproductive health, the expert adds.
Seed samples were analyzed.
The researchers took semen samples from 34 Chinese men for an average of one month after they were diagnosed with mild to moderate cases of COVID-19. In subsequent laboratory tests, SARS-CoV-2 was not detected in any of the samples. But just because the virus was not in the sperm, it cannot be ruled out that it did not penetrate the testicles, where sperm cells form, the researchers report.
Long-term damage to sperm?
If the virus is present in the testicle but not in sperm, it cannot be transmitted sexually, explains study author Dr. Jingtao Guo of the Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah. But if it’s in the testicles, it can cause long-term damage to sperm and sperm production, adds Dr. Guo added.
Expression of a closely examined gene pair
To clarify this question, the research group analyzed a data set that was generated from a so-called single-cell mRNA atlas by healthy young organ donors. With this atlas, you can examine mRNA, the genetic material used to make proteins, in every testicular cell. In this case, the researchers examined the expression of a gene pair associated with SARS-CoV-2.
What receptors have been examined?
These two genes, the angiotensin 2-converting enzyme (ACE2) and the transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2) act as receptors that allow SARS-CoV2 to enter cells and multiply. For the virus to access cells effectively, both receptors must be present on the same cell.
Probably not in human testicular cells.
When scientists examined the data set, they found that the genes encoding these two proteins were only found in four of the 6,500 cells in the testes. This suggests that SARS-CoV-2 is unlikely to penetrate human testicular cells, explains Dr. Guo
Were there any restrictions on the exam?
Despite these results, the research group acknowledges that their study has several important limitations, including a small sample size and the fact that none of the participants was seriously affected by COVID-19.
Serious illness could lead to different results.
A man who is seriously ill with COVID-19 may have a higher viral load, which could increase the likelihood of a viral load in the sperm. We just don’t have an answer for that right now. But not detecting viruses in patients with mild to moderate forms of the disease is reassuring, explains Dr. Hotaling
Intimate contact can increase the risk of spreading the disease.
However, the study author expressly warns that intimate contact with infected people is associated with the risk of COVID-19 transmission (through breathing, coughing, sneezing, kissing). Also, some infected people are asymptomatic and may appear healthy, even if they pass the virus on to others. (how)
Sources:
- Feng Pan, Xingyuan Xiao, Jingtao Guo, Yarong Song, Honggang Li et al .: No evidence of SARS-CoV-2 in the semen of males recovering from COVID-19, in Fertility and sterility (published April 2020), Fertility and sterility
Important note:
This article contains general information only and should not be used for self-diagnosis or treatment. It cannot replace a visit to the doctor.
