Male survivors of the deadly new coronavirus are being urged by their doctors to take fertility tests. This is due to the possibility of the coronavirus damaging the testicle's normal function, says an article. However, there is still no research proving that coronavirus reduces a man's fertility or sexual potency.

Read this too: Coronavirus Pandemic: Reasons to NOT Panic

What Does Wuhan Medical Professionals Have to Say?

However, medical professionals in Wuhan have revealed that the coronavirus infection can affect sperm production and the creation of male sex hormones.

According to Tongji Hospital at Wuhan, the coronavirus primarily targets the lungs and immune system of a person. However, they theorized that the deadly virus can negatively affect the ability of a man to reproduce.

These comments were given on March 11 by Professor Li Yufeng and his team of professionals at the Center for Reproductive Medicine of the hospital.

Tongji Hospital is associated with Huazhong University of Science and Technology. It is one of the medical centers assigned by the government to treat patients who were infected by the novel coronavirus. It was given the designation since the beginning of the outbreak in Wuhan in January.

The Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2

Based on the statement given by experts, the novel coronavirus or the SARS-CoV-2 attack human cells. Upon its entry within human cells, it damages tissues through sticking protein to the cell membrane protein called the protein angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 or the ACE2.

ACE2 is known to exist in other organs of a human body aside from the lungs. Also, this enzyme is abundantly present in a man's testes. The enzyme is thought to be in large numbers in many cells. These cells are in direct relation to male reproductive functions. It includes supporting cells, Leydig cells, and germ cells, says the team of Li Yufeng.

The SARS Outbreak in 2002 and 2003

During the SARS outbreak that occurred in 2002 and 2003, medical professionals had observed significant damage to the immune system in the testicles of some male patients.

The SARS coronavirus was not found by doctors on the testicles of their male patients. However, male patients were reported to have suffered from inflamed sexual organs.

The deadly coronavirus is highly similar to the SARS coronavirus. Also, the two viruses share a similar host cell receptor called the ACE2. Therefore, the team was able to conclude that in theory, the new coronavirus can damage men's testicles.

Being Advised to Take Fertility Tests

Men who had contracted the illness, especially those who are planning to reproduce, are advised to take fertility tests. These tests include sperm quality and hormone level tests. This is advisable to male survivors of the disease for the early detection of problems.

The Global Fight 

More than 100 nations in the world are combating the fast-paced spread of the COVID-19.

The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the coronavirus as a pandemic. The announcement was due to the "alarming levels of inaction" by different governments in the world.

China had recently declared the peak of the COVID-19 in their country had passed.

The novel coronavirus had ended the lives of thousands of people with infected people totaling up to 126,000 across the globe.