Autopsy Study of Testicles in COVID-19: Upregulation of Immune-Related Genes and Downregulation of Testis-Specific Genes
Authors' conclusion
In lethal COVID-19 cases, infection of testicular cells is not uncommon. Viral infection associates with activation of interferon pathways and downregulation of testis-specific genes involved in spermatogenesis. Due to the exceedingly high numbers of infected people in the pandemic, the impact of virus on fertility should be further investigated.
Study context
- Population
- Testicles of fatal COVID-19 cases and uninfected controls at autopsy
- Participants
- 10 / 15 / 9
- Comparison
- Fatal COVID-19 cases vs uninfected controls
- Uninfected controlsn = 10reference
- COVID-19 virus-negativen = 15
- COVID-19 virus-positiven = 9
- Outcome
- SARS-CoV-2 in testis tissue and testicular changes
Methodological detailshistopathological and transcriptomic analysis
- Histopathological and transcriptomic analysis
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
SARS-CoV-2 detected in testis tissue of COVID-19 cases, with scattered T-cell and macrophage infiltrates
9 of 24
37%
Testis-specific genes downregulated, independently of virus positivity in tissue
12 genes
Original publication
Autopsy Study of Testicles in COVID-19: Upregulation of Immune-Related Genes and Downregulation of Testis-Specific Genes. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. Published 19 October 2022. doi:10.
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