Introduction:
SARS-CoV-۲ was initially detected in Wuhan, China in December ۲۰۱۹. While the respiratorysystem is primarily affected, there is evidence suggesting that the virus can also target other tissues, includingthe male reproductive system. This raises the possibility of sexual transmission of the coronavirus. Acomprehensive review of existing research has been conducted to explore this potential mode of transmission.Search Methods: For this systematic review, relevant articles and papers were gathered by searching throughdatabases such as PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar. The search terms used includedkeywords like COVID-۱۹, Semen, Novel Coronavirus, SARS-CoV-۲, Angiotensin-converting enzyme ۲(ACE۲), and Male Infertility. The search was conducted from December ۲۰۱۹ to November ۲۰۲۰, and therewere no language restrictions. The search process involved using OR, AND operators to refine the results. Thefull text of the eligible articles was carefully reviewed and discussed by two authors to ensure consensus. Anydisagreements were resolved through consensus. Information on the characteristics of each study was extractedfor further analysis.Result: According to current studies, ACE۲, which is found abundantly in testicles, can perform as a cellularreceptor for SARS-CoV-۲. This finding is the foundation of this hypothesis that human testis and semen can beinfected by SARS-CoV-۲. In particular, a study showed that
SARS-CoV-۲ might be detected in the semen ofpatients with COVID-۱۹, while other studies found no viral RNA in testicular biopsy tissue. Furthermore, somestudies concluded that this virus, even in the acute phase, could not infect the testicles or the male genital system.Accordingly, no evidence confirms that this virus can be transmitted through male genital organs.Conclusion: While the detection of
SARS-CoV-۲ in semen has been reported in one study, it is important tonote that the overall evidence suggests a low probability of sexual transmission of the coronavirus. Other studieshave not found the virus in semen fluid and have not observed sexual transmission. Therefore, the likelihood ofcoronavirus transmission through sexual contact remains low.