scholarly journals Can COVID-19 Be Transmitted Sexually by Semen?

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 2287-2293
Author(s):  
Ahmed E. Taha
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Transmission ◽  
Testicular Tissue ◽  
Human Testis ◽  
Elderly Persons ◽  
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 ◽  
Male Gametes ◽  
Severe Clinical Picture ◽  
Risk Areas ◽  
Asymptomatic Individuals ◽  
Theoretical Risk

Information on the severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has amplified quickly since its spread; however, many issues remain unclear. SARS-CoV-2 is mainly transmitted through respiratory secretions. However, the potential for SARS-CoV-2 sexual transmission by semen is worthy of study. The cell-receptors of SARS-CoV-2, the angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 receptors, are highly expressed in human testis and may enable this virus to cause testicular tissue damage with bad effect on male fertility. SARS-CoV-2 presentation ranges from asymptomatic carriage to acute respiratory distress and fatal pneumonia, and elderly persons with underlying comorbidities usually suffer from a severe clinical picture. Asymptomatic individuals can spread the virus through their respiratory secretions and possibly through sexual transmission. SARS-CoV-2 can persist viable if cryopreserved in semen samples in sperm cryobankes. As far as I know, there is a gap in knowledge about SARS-CoV-2 transmission through semen, indicating the need for further research. This review attempts to understand the SARS-CoV-2 sexual transmission by semen. One recent study confirmed the theoretical risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission by semen, but few studies negate this theory. Given that, an increasing number of asymptomatic and reactivated SARS-CoV-2 cases are being reported, attention to semen safety and SARS-CoV-2 transmission should be considered particularly in high-risk areas, to ensure the safety of male gametes for artificial reproduction and the general public. Avoiding cryopreservation of male gametes, condom use or even abstinence might be of paramount importance for these persons.

280 PORCINE BLASTOCYSTS DERIVED FROM IN VITRO-MATURED OOCYTES INJECTED INTRACYTOPLASMICALLY WITH SPERM FROM TESTICULAR TISSUE XENOGRAFTED INTO NUDE MICE

2006 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 247 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Kikuchi ◽  
M. Nakai ◽  
N. Kashiwazaki ◽  
M. Ozawa ◽  
N. Maedomari ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nude Mice ◽  
New Technology ◽  
Testicular Tissue ◽  
Cell Number ◽  
Blastocyst Stage ◽  
Embryo Production ◽  
Vitro Fertilization ◽  
Male Gametes ◽  
Sperm Suspension

The utilization of spermatogonia from testicular tissue after xenografting into immuno-deficient mice should lead to new insights for the conservation of male gametes. However, successful embryo production using sperm cells from xenografted testicular tissues has been limited to rhesus monkeys (Honaramooz et al. 2004 Biol. Reprod. 70, 1500-1503). In the present study, the objective was to establish this new technology for pig conservation in combination with intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Testes were obtained from male piglets 6 to 15 days old, in which most of the germ cells were gonocytes; these were minced into pieces of approximately 1.5 � 1.5 � 1.5 mm. Approximately 20 fragments were transplanted under the back skin of castrated nude mice 5 to 8 weeks old. The testicular grafts were recovered between 125 and 192 days after xenografting, minced in Dulbecco's phosphate-buffered saline, and centrifuged several times, to serve as a sperm suspension. In vitro maturation of the recipient oocytes (Kikuchi et al. 2002 Biol. Reprod. 66, 1033-1041) and injection with an intact spermatozoon, followed by electrical stimulation at 1 h post-injection (Nakai et al. 2003 Biol. Reprod. 68, 1003-1008), were carried out. The putative zygotes were cultured in vitro for 6 days (Kikuchi et al. 2002), and were then fixed, stained, and assessed for embryonic development and quality. From a total of 27 mice that were xenografted with testicular tissues, spermatids and spermatozoa were obtained in 19 of the mice (70.4%). Most of the spermatozoa were matured morphologically, showing faint motility after release into the collection medium. From a total of 253 oocytes (four replications) that were injected with sperm, 63 (24.9 � 7.1%) oocytes developed to the blastocyst stage. The average total cell number was 41.9 � 3.9. These values are comparable to those in in vitro fertilization by frozen-thawed spermatozoa, resulting in developmental ability to piglets after embryo transfer (25.3% and 48.7 cells; Kikuchi et al. 2002). These results suggest the possibility of embryo production using porcine spermatozoa that are differentiated from gonocytes within the xenografts.

Immunocytochemical localization of hFSH as an index of Sertoli cell function in the human testis

1987 ◽  
Vol 116 (3) ◽  
pp. 333-338 ◽  
Author(s):  
Doug J. Yoon ◽  
Mircea Golimbu ◽  
Roger Schinella ◽  
Bruce Stein ◽  
Charles A. Sklar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sertoli Cell ◽  
Seminiferous Tubule ◽  
Cell Function ◽  
Basal Membrane ◽  
Testicular Tissue ◽  
Human Testis ◽  
Immunoperoxidase Technique ◽  
Immunocytochemical Localization ◽  
Specific Staining

Abstract. The FSH receptor in the human testis has not been well characterized in vivo. Using an immunoperoxidase technique we have attempted the immunocytochemical localization of FSH in testicular tissue from patients with a variety of disorders including oligo- or azoospermia (N = 6), cryptorchidism (N = 3), and prostatic carcinoma (N = 3). Specific staining for hFSH was observed inside the seminiferous tubule, generally near the basal membrane in all except the cryptorchid patients. Specific staining was also localized in the luminal area of the seminiferous tubule. In most cases, FSH-positive cells were also found in the interstitium, with a minority of the cells being macrophages. The latter were more prevalent in the undescended testes and in orchiectomy specimens from patients with prostatic cancer. The pattern of FSH localization observed in this study probably represents receptorbound hormone, and may reflect damage to the Sertoli cell and its tight junctions. Further study of the changes in receptor distribution as an indication of Sertoli cell malfunction, may be helpful in our understanding of human testicular disorders.

scholarly journals scRNA-seq Profiling of Human Testes Reveals the Presence of ACE2 Receptor, a Target for SARS-CoV-2 Infection, in Spermatogonia, Leydig and Sertoli Cells

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhengpin Wang ◽  
Xiaojiang Xu
Keyword(s):  
Sertoli Cells ◽  
Sequence Similarity ◽  
Male Gamete ◽  
Cell Junction ◽  
Human Testis ◽  
High Sequence Similarity ◽  
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 ◽  
Potential Target ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Go Terms

In December 2019, a novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) was identified in patients with pneumonia (called COVID-19) in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. SARS-CoV-2 shares high sequence similarity and uses the same cell entry receptor, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), as does severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV). Several studies have provided bioinformatic evidence of potential routes for SARS-CoV-2 infection in respiratory, cardiovascular, digestive and urinary systems. However, whether the reproductive system is a potential target of SARS-CoV-2 infection has not been determined. Here, we investigate the expression pattern of ACE2 in adult human testis at the level of single-cell transcriptomes. The results indicate that ACE2 is predominantly enriched in spermatogonia, Leydig and Sertoli cells. Gene ontology analyses indicate that GO categories associated with viral reproduction and transmission are highly enriched in ACE2-positive spermatogonia while male gamete generation related terms are down-regulated. Cell-cell junction and immunity related GO terms are increased in ACE2-positive Leydig and Sertoli cells, but mitochondria and reproduction related GO terms are decreased. These findings provide evidence that human testes are a potential target of SARS-CoV-2 infection which may have significant impact on our understanding of the pathophysiology of this rapidly spreading disease.

scholarly journals Feasibility of Quantitative Environmental Surveillance in Poliovirus Eradication Strategies

2012 ◽  
Vol 78 (11) ◽  
pp. 3800-3805 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. J. Lodder ◽  
A. M. Buisman ◽  
S. A. Rutjes ◽  
J. C. Heijne ◽  
P. F. Teunis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plaque Assay ◽  
Warning System ◽  
Oral Polio Vaccine ◽  
Polio Eradication ◽  
Elderly Persons ◽  
Environmental Surveillance ◽  
Serotype 1 ◽  
Global Polio Eradication Initiative ◽  
Afp Surveillance ◽  
Asymptomatic Individuals

ABSTRACTThe progress of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative is monitored by acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) surveillance supplemented with environmental surveillance in selected areas. To assess the sensitivity of environmental surveillance, stools from (re)vaccinated elderly persons with a low seroprevalence and from wastewater were concurrently collected and analyzed in the Netherlands over a prolonged period of time. A total number of 228 healthy individuals with different levels of immunity were challenged with monovalent oral polio vaccine serotype 1 or 3. Poliovirus concentrations were determined by the titration of fecal suspensions on poliovirus-sensitive L20B cells and of sewage concentrates by L20B monolayer plaque assay. Almost half of the individuals (45%) shed poliovirus on day 3 after challenge, which peaked (57%) on day 8 with an average poliovirus excretion of 1.3 × 105TCID50per g of feces and gradually decreased to less than 5% on day 42. The virus concentrations in sewage peaked on days 6 to 8 at approximately 100 PFU per liter, remained high until day 14, and subsequently decreased to less than 10 PFU per liter on day 29. The estimated poliovirus concentration in sewage approximated the measured initial virus excretion in feces, within 1 log10variation, resulting in a sensitivity of detection of 100 infected but mostly asymptomatic individuals in tens of thousands of individuals. An additional second peak observed in sewage may indicate secondary transmission missed by enterovirus or AFP surveillance in patients. This enables the detection of circulating poliovirus by environmental surveillance, supporting its feasibility as an early warning system.

scholarly journals Effects of COVID-19 on male sex function and its potential sexual transmission

2021 ◽  
Vol 93 (1) ◽  
pp. 48-52
Author(s):  
Héctor Rodriguez Bustos ◽  
Gonzalo Bravo Maturana ◽  
Felipe Cortés-Chau ◽  
Joelle Defaur Torres ◽  
Felipe Cortés-Pino ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Seminal Fluid ◽  
Sexual Transmission ◽  
Bibliographic Databases ◽  
Histological Changes ◽  
Assisted Reproduction Techniques ◽  
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
Control And Prevention ◽  
Male Sexual Function ◽  
Transmembrane Serine Protease

Introduction: Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2, (SARS-CoV-2) was first identified by the Chinese Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on January 8, 2020 and was declared as a global pandemic on March 11, 2020 by WHO. SARS-CoV-2 uses the Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor as an entry route, associated with the transmembrane serine protease protein (TMPRSS2), which makes the testis and particularly spermatogenesis potentially vulnerable, since this tissue has high expression of ACE2. Material and methods: We performed a systematic literature review by electronic bibliographic databases in Pubmed, Scopus and ScienceDirect up to August 2020 about the effect of SARS-CoV-2 on male sexual function and its transmission, to assess possible repercussions on sex organs and the existence of a sexual transmission path. Results: Although SARS-CoV-2 presence has not been found in testicle samples, it has been demonstrated that it causes histological changes compatible with orchitis, and sex hormone disturbances. TMPRSS2 is up-regulated in prostate cancer where it supports tumor progression, thus these patients may have a higher risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection. TMPRSS2 inhibitors may be useful for the treatment or prevention of COVID-19. No viral material has been found in blood or semen, however it has been proven to be present in stool and saliva. Conclusion: The male reproductive system would be highly vulnerable and susceptible to infection by SARS-CoV-2 given the expression of the ACE2 receptor in somatic and germ cells. The seminal fluid would remain free of viral presence in patients with COVID-19. Regardless, non-genital sex could be an important source of viral transmission. In assisted reproduction techniques all necessary tests must be carried out to ensure the donor is free of the virus at the time of collection and handling of the seminal sample.

scholarly journals Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 and Male Reproduction: Relationship, Explanations, and Clinical Remedies

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jia Xu ◽  
Liting He ◽  
Yuan Zhang ◽  
Zhiyong Hu ◽  
Yufang Su ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Immune Responses ◽  
Germ Cell ◽  
Immune Cell ◽  
Cell Loss ◽  
Public Health Emergency ◽  
Male Reproduction ◽  
Human Testis ◽  
Spermatogenic Cells ◽  
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-2019) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been an ongoing pandemic and worldwide public health emergency, having drawn a lot of attention around the world. The pathogenesis of COVID-19 is characterized by infecting angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2)-expressing cells, including testis-specific cells, namely, Leydig, Sertoli, and spermatogenic cells, which are closely related to male reproduction. This leads to aberrant hyperactivation of the immune system generating damage to the infected organs. An impairment in testicular function through uncontrolled immune responses alerts more attention to male infertility. Meanwhile, the recent clinical data indicate that the infection of the human testis with SARS-CoV-2 may impair male germ cell development, leading to germ cell loss and higher immune cell infiltration. In this review, we investigated the evidence of male reproductive dysfunction associated with the infection with SARS-CoV-2 and its possible immunological explanations and clinical remedies.

scholarly journals Characterization of Endozepines in the Human Testicular Tissue: Effect of Triakontatetraneuropeptide on Testosterone Secretion

2003 ◽  
Vol 88 (11) ◽  
pp. 5521-5528 ◽  
Author(s):  
Celine Duparc ◽  
Herve Lefebvre ◽  
Marie-Christine Tonon ◽  
Hubert Vaudry ◽  
Jean-Marc Kuhn
Keyword(s):  
Present Report ◽  
Pcr Amplification ◽  
Testicular Tissue ◽  
Human Testis ◽  
Stimulatory Action ◽  
Central Type ◽  
Testosterone Secretion ◽  
Testosterone Production ◽  
Peripheral Type

Abstract Previous studies have shown that endozepines, i.e. endogenous ligands of benzodiazepine (BZD) receptors, stimulate steroidogenesis in adrenocortical and Leydig cells. In the present report, we have investigated the presence and action of endozepines in the human testis. Immunohistochemical labeling revealed the occurrence of endozepine-like immunoreactivity in Leydig, Sertoli, and germ cells. HPLC analysis combined with a specific RIA resolved two immunoreactive peaks that coeluted with synthetic octadecaneuropeptide (ODN) and triakontatetraneuropeptide (TTN). RT-PCR amplification showed that the mRNA encoding the endozepine precursor diazepam-binding inhibitor is expressed in the human testis. The action of endozepines on testosterone production was studied in vitro using perifused human testicular fragments. Administration of TTN provoked a dose-dependent increase in testosterone secretion, whereas ODN had no effect. The stimulatory action of TTN on testosterone production was totally blocked by flunitrazepam, a peripheral-type BZD receptor antagonist/central-type BZD receptor (CBR) agonist. Conversely, the CBR agonist clonazepam and the CBR antagonist flumazenil did not affect testosterone secretion. Collectively, these results suggest that, in the human testicular tissue, TTN may exert an intracrine and/or paracrine control of steroidogenesis through activation of a peripheral-type BZD receptor.

scholarly journals Cisplatin and carboplatin result in similar gonadotoxicity in immature human testis with implications for fertility preservation in childhood cancer

BMC Medicine ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa D. Tharmalingam ◽  
Gabriele Matilionyte ◽  
William H. B. Wallace ◽  
Jan-Bernd Stukenborg ◽  
Kirsi Jahnukainen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Germ Cell ◽  
Childhood Cancer ◽  
Cell Loss ◽  
Testicular Tissue ◽  
Cell Number ◽  
Human Testis ◽  
Cell Populations ◽  
Similar Degree ◽  
Future Fertility ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Clinical studies indicate chemotherapy agents used in childhood cancer treatment regimens may impact future fertility. However, effects of individual agents on prepubertal human testis, necessary to identify later risk, have not been determined. The study aimed to investigate the impact of cisplatin, commonly used in childhood cancer, on immature (foetal and prepubertal) human testicular tissues. Comparison was made with carboplatin, which is used as an alternative to cisplatin in order to reduce toxicity in healthy tissues. Methods We developed an organotypic culture system combined with xenografting to determine the effect of clinically-relevant exposure to platinum-based chemotherapeutics on human testis. Human foetal and prepubertal testicular tissues were cultured and exposed to cisplatin, carboplatin or vehicle for 24 h, followed by 24–240 h in culture or long-term xenografting. Survival, proliferation and apoptosis of prepubertal germ stem cell populations (gonocytes and spermatogonia), critical for sperm production in adulthood, were quantified. Results Cisplatin exposure resulted in a significant reduction in the total number of germ cells (− 44%, p < 0.0001) in human foetal testis, which involved an initial loss of gonocytes followed by a significant reduction in spermatogonia. This coincided with a reduction (− 70%, p < 0.05) in germ cell proliferation. Cisplatin exposure resulted in similar effects on total germ cell number (including spermatogonial stem cells) in prepubertal human testicular tissues, demonstrating direct relevance to childhood cancer patients. Xenografting of cisplatin-exposed human foetal testicular tissue demonstrated that germ cell loss (− 42%, p < 0.01) persisted at 12 weeks. Comparison between exposures to human-relevant concentrations of cisplatin and carboplatin revealed a very similar degree of germ cell loss at 240 h post-exposure. Conclusions This is the first demonstration of direct effects of chemotherapy exposure on germ cell populations in human foetal and prepubertal testis, demonstrating platinum-induced loss of all germ cell populations, and similar effects of cisplatin or carboplatin. Furthermore, these experimental approaches can be used to determine the effects of established and novel cancer therapies on the developing testis that will inform fertility counselling and development of strategies to preserve fertility in children with cancer.

scholarly journals An Occurrence of Hermaphroditism in Rana Catesbiana

1960 ◽  
Vol s3-101 (53) ◽  
pp. 37-38
Author(s):  
W. KEITH O'STEEN
Keyword(s):  
Tympanic Membrane ◽  
Testicular Tissue ◽  
Seminal Vesicles ◽  
Mature Male ◽  
Seminiferous Tubules ◽  
Urogenital System ◽  
Secondary Sexual Characters ◽  
Male Gametes ◽  
Ovarian Masses ◽  
Secondary Sexual

Hermaphroditism is rather uncommon in the bullfrog, Rana catesbiana. A case is described here. Among the features of the unusual urogenital system were male secondary sexual characters (large tympanic membrane, vocal sacs, nuptial pads), testicular tissue with developing and mature male gametes, and accessory ducts (vasa efferentia, seminal vesicles). Müllerian ducts and large ovarian masses containing oöcytes and mature ova were also present. Oöcytes were observed in the lumina of seminiferous tubules.

scholarly journals SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Responses Correlate with Resolution of RNAemia But Are Short-Lived in Patients with Mild Illness

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katharina Röltgen ◽  
Oliver F Wirz ◽  
Bryan A Stevens ◽  
Abigail E Powell ◽  
Catherine A Hogan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protective Immunity ◽  
Antibody Responses ◽  
Receptor Binding Domain ◽  
Plasma Samples ◽  
Converting Enzyme ◽  
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 ◽  
Specific Antibodies ◽  
Immune Clearance ◽  
Humoral Immune ◽  
Asymptomatic Individuals

SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies, particularly those preventing viral spike receptor binding domain (RBD) interaction with host angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor, could offer protective immunity, and may affect clinical outcomes of COVID-19 patients. We analyzed 625 serial plasma samples from 40 hospitalized COVID-19 patients and 170 SARS-CoV-2-infected outpatients and asymptomatic individuals. Severely ill patients developed significantly higher SARS-CoV-2-specific antibody responses than outpatients and asymptomatic individuals. The development of plasma antibodies was correlated with decreases in viral RNAemia, consistent with potential humoral immune clearance of virus. Using a novel competition ELISA, we detected antibodies blocking RBD-ACE2 interactions in 68% of inpatients and 40% of outpatients tested. Cross-reactive antibodies recognizing SARS-CoV RBD were found almost exclusively in hospitalized patients. Outpatient and asymptomatic individuals' serological responses to SARS-CoV-2 decreased within 2 months, suggesting that humoral protection may be short-lived.

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