Unveiling the Novel Correlation between Sperm DNA Fragmentation Index and Other Sperm Parameters in Males with COVID-19: A Prospective Longitudinal Cohort Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.70135/seejph.vi.2882Abstract
Background:SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) negatively affects sperm parameters and DNA integrity. Routine semen analysis offers limited insights into male reproductive potential. Oxidative stress during COVID-19 may cause DNA damage in sperm. The sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) is an essential parameter for detecting oxidative stress and sperm DNA damage. The effects of COVID-19 on the Sperm parameters and sperm DFI remain poorly understood. Aims: To study (i) the extent to which COVID-19 affects semen quality and sperm DFI and (ii) the association between semen quality and sperm DFI. Methods:This prospective, longitudinal cohort study was conducted at the National Health Institute for Tertiary Care. Thirty COVID-19 males aged 19-45 were involved in the study between October 2020 and April 2021. Detailed semen analysis, including the sperm DNA Fragmentation Index, was performed based on the WHO laboratory manual for the examination and processing of human semen (5th edition). All the aforementioned tests were conducted again on the same participants after 74 days. Results:During COVID-19, all semen parameters, including DFI, deviated from their optimal levels. After 74 days, except for DFI, improvements in sperm parameters were observed; however, these were not optimal for pregnancy planning. DFI values remained higher than those of other sperm parameters. All outcomes were statistically significant (P < 0.05) for all sperm parameters. Thus, COVID-19 negatively affected sperm parameters, including the sperm DNA fragmentation index. The sperm DFI was not correlated with other sperm parameters. This indicated that the DFI values remained affected for a prolonged period of time. Conclusion:COVID-19 had a negative influence on all sperm parameters. Although routine sperm parameters improved after COVID-19, sperm DFI values remained elevated for an extended period, indicating no significant correlation between sperm parameters and sperm DFI. Therefore, post-COVID-19, performing a sperm DNA fragmentation assay is crucial as an additional reliable test to investigate male infertility. Monitoring DFI values can guide ART Clinicians in making treatment decisions for infertile couples.
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