Covid-19 may damage sperm quality and reduce fertility in men, according to a new study based on experimental evidence. The viral disease, which has swept the globe, claiming nearly 2.2 million lives, can cause increased sperm cell death, inflammation and so-called oxidative stress, researchers reported in the journal Reproduction. "These findings provide the first direct experimental evidence that the male reproductive system could be targeted and damaged by Covid-19," the authors concluded.
Experts commenting on the research, however, said the capacity of the virus to compromise fertility in men remains unproven.
Covid-19 causes respiratory illness, especially in older people and those with underlying medical problems. The world has seen