ArticlePloS one2023
Deleterious impact of COVID-19 pandemic: Male fertility was not out of the bag.
Article in PloS one, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 7 papers.
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
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Who cites it
7 citing papers in PubMed, 7 citations in OpenAlex.
- The effect of Covid-19 vaccines on semen parameters of patients undergoing infertility investigations: a self-controlled before-and-after study.Scientific reports · 2026Article
- Epidemiological characteristics and temporal trends of male infertility in Egypt (2012-2022): Analysis of 3,037 consecutive cases.Arab journal of urology · 2026Article
- Urgent need for inclusion of male infertility in global health strategies: insights from the GBD 2021 Study.Asian journal of andrology · 2026Article
- Clinicopathological andCurrent medicinal chemistry · 2025Article
- Zinc as a Possible Critical Element to Prevent Harmful Effects of COVID-19 on Testicular Function: a Narrative Review.Reproductive sciences (Thousand Oaks, Calif.) · 2024Review
- COVID-19: a multi-organ perspective.Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology · 2024Review
- Age-Related COVID-19 Influence on Male Fertility.International journal of molecular sciences · 2023Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
9 authors at 2 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundThe emergence and the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) induced by the SARS-CoV-2 virus has multiple consequences in all countries around the world. Male germ cells of infertile patients which are shown to be vulnerable to many environmental conditions, could be particularly vulnerable to such an exceptional pandemic situation. We aimed through the current study to investigate the potential variations in sperm quality of infertile patients during the COVID-19 pandemic in Tunisia.
methodsThis was a cohort study including 90 infertile patients addressed to Laboratory of Cytogenetics and Reproductive Biology of Monastir Department of Maternity and Neonatology in Monastir, during the two first COVID-19 waves in Tunisia and who already have a spermogram before the pandemic period.
resultsWe have pointed out a significant decrease in both total and progressive sperm motility during COVID-19 pandemic (p<0.0001 and p = 0.001 respectively). The percentage of morphologically abnormal spermatozoa increased from 90.99±7.38 to 93.67±4.55% during the pandemic (p< 0.001). The remaining sperm parameters were similar between the two compared timepoints. Interestingly, the univariate analysis didn't show any other associated factor to the observed impairment in sperm mobility and morphology.
conclusionThese data highlight the severe impact of the pandemic of the male reproductive health of hypofertile patients. Delaying infertility investigations and management after pandemic waves is recommended to hope a better gamete quality and hence to improve conception potential.
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