A Case of Asthenozoospermia Following COVID-19 Infection

Abstract

Purpose: Studies pertaining to the effect of COVID-19 infection on male fertility are scarce. This case report describes a case of transient asthenozoospermia, absence of sperm motility, following a moderately severe COVID-19 infection. Case: A couple presenting for infertility treatment due to low ovarian reserve presented for their second intrauterine insemination (IUI). Their first IUI was performed 1 month earlier when the semen parameters were normal. A couple of weeks before the second IUI, the unvaccinated 48-year-old male partner contracted COVID-19 and was admitted to the hospital for several days. He received IV Remdesivir and continuous oxygen by nasal cannula. His hospitalization did not require intubation or intensive care unit admission. He was discharged after 12 days of hospitalization without home oxygen treatment. On the day of the second IUI, the semen analysis showed a normal sperm count with 0% motility. Three months following his COVID-19 diagnosis, a repeat semen analysis showed restored normal parameters with more than 40% motility. Conclusion: This aim of this report is to increase awareness that moderate COVID-19 requiring hospitalization could affect, though temporarily, sperm motility and should be considered in the differential diagnosis when male infertility is encountered.