Post by Nadica (She/Her) on Jun 12, 2024 0:49:58 GMT
Sperm study recommends quarantine after COVID-19 - Published June 6, 2024
Brazilian researchers have discovered the COVID-19 virus in sperm up to 3 months after infection, which they say should make people think carefully about the time babies might be conceived.
Details of the new study, in the journal Andrology, revealed the virus that causes COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, can remain inside sperm for up to 3 months following hospital discharge (100-110 days after initial infection).
Based on their results, the researchers from the University of São Paulo (FM-USP) in Brazil advocate postponing natural conception and assisted reproductive techniques for up to 6 months (2 cycles of sperm cell production) after a COVID-19 infection.
Corresponding author Jorge Hallak, a urology specialist and professor of medicine at FM-USP, says the finding is a “scientific paradigm shift”.
The study also revealed that infected sperm produce “extracellular traps”, a process in which the cell sacrifices itself to encircle and contain the pathogen. This is a known tactic used by neutrophils and other white blood cells which are the body’ first line of defence against infection.
“The finding that spermatozoa are part of the innate immune system and help defend the organism against attack by pathogens is unique in the literature and makes the study very important,” says Hallak.
Keywords: Brazil, Sexual Transmission, Transmission,
Brazilian researchers have discovered the COVID-19 virus in sperm up to 3 months after infection, which they say should make people think carefully about the time babies might be conceived.
Details of the new study, in the journal Andrology, revealed the virus that causes COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, can remain inside sperm for up to 3 months following hospital discharge (100-110 days after initial infection).
Based on their results, the researchers from the University of São Paulo (FM-USP) in Brazil advocate postponing natural conception and assisted reproductive techniques for up to 6 months (2 cycles of sperm cell production) after a COVID-19 infection.
Corresponding author Jorge Hallak, a urology specialist and professor of medicine at FM-USP, says the finding is a “scientific paradigm shift”.
The study also revealed that infected sperm produce “extracellular traps”, a process in which the cell sacrifices itself to encircle and contain the pathogen. This is a known tactic used by neutrophils and other white blood cells which are the body’ first line of defence against infection.
“The finding that spermatozoa are part of the innate immune system and help defend the organism against attack by pathogens is unique in the literature and makes the study very important,” says Hallak.
Keywords: Brazil, Sexual Transmission, Transmission,