Absence of SARS‐CoV‐2 in semen of a COVID‐19 patient cohort

• DOI: 10.1111/andr.12848
• Publication Date: 2020-06-29T20:59:50Z
• Authors: Liqiang Guo; Shengtian Zhao; Weiguang Li; Yong Wang; Leping Li; Shujuan Jiang; Wanhua Ren; Qun Yuan; Fubin Zhang; Feng Kong; Jie Lei; Mingzhen Yuan
• Keywords: 2019-20 coronavirus outbreak; Pandemic; Sars virus; Betacoronavirus

Abstract Background Since SARS‐CoV‐2 infection was first identified in December 2019, the novel coronavirus‐induced pneumonia COVID‐19 spread rapidly and triggered a global pandemic. Recent bioinformatics evidence suggested that angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2—the main cell entry target of SARS‐CoV‐2—was predominantly enriched spermatogonia, Leydig Sertoli cells, which suggests potential vulnerability male reproductive system to infection. Objectives To identify RNA seminal plasma determine semen characteristics from patients acute recovery phases Methods From February 26 April 2, 2020, 23 with were recruited. The clinical characteristics, laboratory findings chest computed tomography scans all recorded detail. We also investigated viral load these using approved methods. Results age range 20‐62 years. All tested negative for specimens. Among them, virus had been cleared 11 patients, as they negative. remaining 12 samples, but positive sputum fecal median interval diagnosis providing samples 32 days, when total sperm counts, motile morphology within normal ranges. Discussion Conclusion In this cohort recent or recovering COVID‐19, there no detected indicates unlikely possibility sexual transmission through at about 1 month after detection.