The COVID-19 pandemic and its consequences on men's reproductive health

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted global health; key questions remain regarding its effects on male reproductive function. Male infertility represents both a biomedical challenge and a societal concern. Our review considers COVID-19's biophysical mechanisms affecting the male reproductive system and focuses on the prognostic implication. Current evidence highlights two primary pathways of SARS-CoV-2 impact: hyperthermia and oxidative stress. The first pathway, as reported, significantly increases sperm aneuploidy and, as a result, has adverse effects on spermatogenesis and causes sperm DNA breaks. The second pathway of coronavirus impact on infertility is oxidative stress. During it, the level of formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) increases and damages sperm membrane by lipid peroxidation. These mechanisms are interrelated, as fever-induced oxidative stress may alter redox-active metal homeostasis, further exacerbating cellular damage. Understanding these pathogenic processes enables targeted therapeutic development and preventive strategies for COVID-19-related male reproductive dysfunction.