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Zinc as a Possible Critical Element to Prevent Harmful Effects of COVID-19 on Testicular Function: a Narrative Review

Marouane Chemek1, Ammar Kadi2, Fatimah Kadhim Ibrahim Al-Mahdawi3

  • 1Department of food and biotechnology, South Ural State University, Chelyabinsk, 454080, Russia. chemekm@yahoo.com.

Reproductive Sciences (Thousand Oaks, Calif.)
|July 10, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Zinc (Zn) may help protect male fertility from SARS-CoV-2 infection. This review explores zinc

Area of Science:

  • Reproductive medicine
  • Virology
  • Nutritional science

Background:

  • Emerging severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants and vaccine inefficacy necessitate novel therapeutic strategies.
  • SARS-CoV-2 infection can adversely affect testicular cells, potentially leading to male infertility in adolescents and young men.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of zinc (Zn) in testicular health.
  • To assess the therapeutic potential of zinc for male fertility enhancement.
  • To explore zinc's role in mitigating COVID-19's impact on male reproductive function.

Main Methods:

  • A narrative review of existing scientific literature was conducted.
  • Data on zinc's physiological functions in testicular tissue were analyzed.
  • Studies on micronutrient therapy for male infertility and COVID-19 mitigation were examined.

Main Results:

  • Zinc plays a crucial role in maintaining testicular tissue integrity and function.
  • Evidence suggests zinc supplementation may improve male fertility parameters.
  • The potential of zinc to counteract SARS-CoV-2-induced testicular damage is hypothesized.

Conclusions:

  • Zinc is vital for male reproductive health.
  • Zinc supplementation may offer a protective strategy against SARS-CoV-2-related male infertility.
  • Further research is warranted to confirm zinc's efficacy in preventing COVID-19's detrimental effects on male fertility.
Keywords:
COVID-19Male fertilitySARS-COV2SupplementationTesticular functionZinc

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