Preprint: SARS-CoV-2 infects and replicates in human testes
“The virus remains infective after a long infection period in the testes (viral reservoir)”
This is the first study that shows:
1) the high SARS-CoV-2 tropism to the testis
2) one mode of SARS-CoV-2 entrance in testes
3) SARS-CoV-2 preferred infection and replication in spermatogonia and macrophages
4) that the virus remains infective after a long infection period in the testes (viral reservoir)
5) high levels of angiotensin II and activated mast cells and macrophages are critical players in promoting all testicular alterations
6) the more extended severe condition, the lower the number of surviving germ cells
7) fluctuation in several essential testicular genes
8) that the intratesticular testosterone levels are 30 times reduced in testes of COVID-19 patients
9) the prevalent types of collagen present in SARS-CoV-2 mediated testicular fibrosis
10) the fluctuation of vasoconstrictive peptides in testes of COVID-19 critically ill patients
Medrxiv Preprint: SARS-CoV-2 infects, replicates, elevates angiotensin II and activates immune cells in human testes