N-acteylcysteine may reduce fertility disorders in men after a COVID-19 infection

COVID-19 may affect male fertility through virus division, cytotoxic effects on testicular tissue and immunopathological effect. This randomized, controlled, clinical study conducted in 200 men who experienced COVID-19 infection, has evaluated the effects of N-acetyl-cystein (NAC) supplementation on semen parameters.

The subjects took NAC 600 mg/day during 3 months. Results showed that subjects who got COVID-19 infection had a significant impairment of sperm quality (sperm concentration (p = 0.03), sperm motility (p = 0.04), and normal sperm morphology (p = 0.03)) compared to their semen analysis evaluated before the COVID-19 infection. NAC consumption appeared to significantly improve sperm parameters, with notably increases in sperm volume (p = 0.03), sperm motility (p = 0.01), sperm concentration (p = 0.04) and morphology (p = 0.03). IN the control group, only sperm volume has been increased after 3 months of follow-up.

These results demonstrate that COVID-19 has a negative impact on men’s fertility, and that NAC supplementation may help to recover rapidly normal sperm parameters.

Bahare Rafiee, Seyed Mohammad Bagher Tabei. The effect on N-acetyl-cystein consumption on men with abnormal sperm parameters due to positive history of COVID-19 in the last three months. Archivio Italiano di Urologia e Andrologia. 2021 Dec 21;93(4): 465-467.