No study to prove that COVID-19 affects reproductive system: Medical experts
Srinagar, July 18 : The medical experts in the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir Friday ruled out the possibility of transmission of coronavirus through reproductive organs stating that the recent studies have found no change or abnormal behaviour in a man or woman after proper research.
Kashmir valley was abuzz with the speculations after a number of unmarried and married people turned positive for the novel coronavirus whether the virus affects the reproductive capabilities of both the genders, however, the medical experts have ruled out the possible transmission.
Talking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), valleys top influenza expert, Dr. Nisar Ul Hassan said that so far there is no evidence and study to prove that this virus affects the fertility of men or women and the recent study about the same has ruled out any change or abnormality in reproductive system.
He said the main reproductive organs of male have cells which contain receptors (ACE2), which are important for viral entry into the cells like other organs because the virus is believed to enter through these proteins on the surface of the cells which are present in all organs.
“In a recent study wherein 181 male patients were infected with this virus and they had recovered, the researchers didn’t find the virus in the semen of the patients though there were some hormonal changes during the infective phase in these men but the main sex hormone testosterone level remained the same in the infected individuals,” he said.
Dr Nisar said that there was no difference in the male sex hormone but some changes witnessed were temporary and after they (Patients) recovered these hormones came to baseline which can happen with any virus including this coronavirus.
“It was not studied what happens to the sperm count which is important whether there is any reduction in count and abnormality of sperm during the illness but then the researches drew the conclusion that there is no fertility issue as the virus was not found in the semen and there is no change in the main sex hormone,” Dr. Nisar said.
He said the research is reassuring and encouraging because it doesn’t affect the fertility capability of a person.
“There are ACE2 receptors in the reproductive organs (Ovaries, uterus) of women as well where hypothetically the virus could enter these organs through these receptors but there is no evidence as of now that the virus affects these organs.”
He said that there is no evidence about the pregnant positive ladies leads to the transmission of the virus from mother to the baby as there is no miscarriage so the results are encouraging for both male and female.
“As of now we have no evidence that there is any effect in fertility of men or women by the virus but we have to wait because the virus is new and these studies are early and conclusion has to be drawn by way of larger studies.”
He also said “we need to learn more about it by way of larger studies especially for the absolute conclusion and we need to follow these patients by way of sperm count and the quality of the sperms to be really sure that this virus doesn’t cause any problem in the reproductive system.”—(KNO)
