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In news that will have alarm bells ringing for half the world’s population, a new study suggests that COVID-19 could spell trouble for testicular health, including a decrease in size, sperm count, and testosterone levels.
The research, published on Feb. 18, was conducted over recent months by researchers at the University of Hong Kong to investigate the effect of COVID-19 on hamsters' testicles.
Varying doses of SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19, were intranasally delivered to hamsters—only some of which were vaccinated against the virus. The hamsters were then killed between one and 120 days after infection and their testicles examined.
What researchers found was an “acute decrease” in sperm count and testosterone levels four to seven days post-infection in unvaccinated hamsters. Meanwhile, “damage” to the testicular tissue—including inflammation, degeneration, and necrosis—was observed as early as a week after infection and persisted in the sample collected on Day 120.
Testicular size and weight were also found to be reduced after infection. Hamsters that were vaccinated against the virus did not exhibit testicular damage.
www.vice.com
The research, published on Feb. 18, was conducted over recent months by researchers at the University of Hong Kong to investigate the effect of COVID-19 on hamsters' testicles.
Varying doses of SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19, were intranasally delivered to hamsters—only some of which were vaccinated against the virus. The hamsters were then killed between one and 120 days after infection and their testicles examined.
What researchers found was an “acute decrease” in sperm count and testosterone levels four to seven days post-infection in unvaccinated hamsters. Meanwhile, “damage” to the testicular tissue—including inflammation, degeneration, and necrosis—was observed as early as a week after infection and persisted in the sample collected on Day 120.
Testicular size and weight were also found to be reduced after infection. Hamsters that were vaccinated against the virus did not exhibit testicular damage.
Hamsters’ Testicles Shrink After Being Infected With COVID, Study Finds
The virus was delivered intranasally to the rodents, with researchers finding an acute decrease in sperm count and testosterone.
www.vice.com
