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Mitochondrial hijacking: A potential mechanism for SARS-CoV-2 to impair female fertility

Jun Sun1, Qiong Liu1, Xinling Zhang1

  • 1Medical School of Zhengzhou University, China.

Medical Hypotheses
|February 1, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) may impair female fertility by hijacking host cell mitochondria. Understanding this mitochondrial pathway is crucial for reproductive health interventions in infected women.

Area of Science:

  • Reproductive Biology
  • Virology
  • Cellular Biology

Background:

  • Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes multi-organ complications beyond respiratory lesions.
  • While SARS-CoV-2 is highly transmissible with low lethality, its impact on infected individuals, particularly concerning fertility, warrants investigation.
  • Existing evidence suggests viral infections can impair female reproduction, but specific mechanisms for SARS-CoV-2 remain unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the mechanisms by which SARS-CoV-2 affects female fertility.
  • To explore the role of mitochondrial hijacking by SARS-CoV-2 in female reproductive impairment.
  • To identify potential preventive measures and therapeutic targets for women with reproductive needs affected by SARS-CoV-2.

Main Methods:

  • Utilizing RNA-GPS technology to detect SARS-CoV-2 genome presence in host cell mitochondria.
  • Analyzing the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on mitochondrial function.
  • Correlating mitochondrial dysfunction with female fertility impairment.

Main Results:

  • RNA-GPS technology confirmed SARS-CoV-2 genome localization within host cell mitochondria.
  • Evidence suggests SARS-CoV-2 infection disrupts normal mitochondrial function.
  • This disruption is hypothesized to be a key pathway for SARS-CoV-2-induced female fertility issues.

Conclusions:

  • SARS-CoV-2 may impair female fertility by hijacking mitochondrial pathways.
  • Mitochondrial dysfunction is a critical factor in SARS-CoV-2-related reproductive complications.
  • Further research into this pathway can guide interventions for affected women.
Keywords:
ACE2FertilityMitochondriaOocytesSARS-CoV-2

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