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Review of Sertoli cell dysfunction caused by COVID-19 that could affect male fertility

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 June 2021

Amirreza Niazi Tabar ,
Kiana Sojoudi ,
Hannaneh Henduei  and
Hossein Azizi Open the ORCID record for Hossein Azizi [Opens in a new window]
Amirreza Niazi Tabar*
Affiliation:
Faculty of Biotechnology, Amol University of Special Modern Technologies, Amol, Iran
Kiana Sojoudi
Affiliation:
Faculty of Biotechnology, Amol University of Special Modern Technologies, Amol, Iran
Hannaneh Henduei
Affiliation:
Faculty of Biotechnology, Amol University of Special Modern Technologies, Amol, Iran
Hossein Azizi
Affiliation:
Faculty of Biotechnology, Amol University of Special Modern Technologies, Amol, Iran
*
Author for correspondence: Amirreza Niazi Tabar. Faculty of Biotechnology, Amol University of Special Modern Technologies, Amol, Iran. Email: A.niazitabar@ausmt.ac.ir
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Abstract

Spermatogenesis is a complex and elaborate differentiation process and is vital for male fertility. Sertoli cells play a major role in fertility and induce spermatogenesis by protecting, nourishing, and supporting germ cells. It has been speculated that severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) could directly affect the male reproductive system, and therefore heredity and fertility. The similarity of SARS-CoV-2 to SARS-CoV could confirm this hypothesis because both viruses use angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE2) as the receptor to enter human cells. ACE2 is expressed by Sertoli cells and other testicular cells, therefore COVID-19 has the potential to impair fertility by destroying Sertoli cells. This hypothesis should be evaluated and confirmed by monitoring fertility in patients with COVID-19.

Keywords

COVID-19Germ cellsMale fertilitySARS coronavirusesSertoli cells
Type
Review Article
Information
Zygote , Volume 30 , Issue 1 , February 2022 , pp. 17 - 24
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press

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