About this Research Topic
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is still tackling the worldwide population. The main symptoms related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are respiratory, and little is known about the potential repercussion of infection, disease and pharmacological treatments on the female and male reproductive systems, especially in the long-term period.
SARS-CoV-2 may invade host cells by binding to ACE2, whilst physiologically ACE2 regulates the levels of angiotensin II (Ang II) and Ang-(1–7) to exert its physiological functions. ACE2 is widely expressed in ovaries, uterus, vagina and placenta. Therefore, SARS-CoV-2 may influence female fertility. It has been suspected that the virus impacts on oocyte quality and ovarian functionality. ACE2 is also widely expressed in testes and prostate tissues. The presence of SARS-CoV-2 in human semen of COVID-19 affected men is controversial, but in recovered subjects the spermiogenesis seems to be negatively affected with reduce motile spermatozoa. In addition, ACE2 was found to be expressed in peri-implantation embryos, SUGGESTING potential SARS-CoV-2 infection risks during embryo transfer, peri-implantation embryo development, and gestation.
The virus was also recovered from the placenta of COVID-19 positive women and some studies have shown the possibility of vertical transmission, potentially leading to pregnancy complications.
Although during the infection evidence of the involvement of reproductive organs are not reported, little is known about the long-term effects, as well as the influence of systemic drug assumption during the disease.
This Research Topic encourages researchers to address these topics, with updated reviews and research articles aiming to better understand the molecular mechanisms involved as well as to design the potential mitigation interventions.
SARS-CoV-2 may invade host cells by binding to ACE2, whilst physiologically ACE2 regulates the levels of angiotensin II (Ang II) and Ang-(1–7) to exert its physiological functions. ACE2 is widely expressed in ovaries, uterus, vagina and placenta. Therefore, SARS-CoV-2 may influence female fertility. It has been suspected that the virus impacts on oocyte quality and ovarian functionality. ACE2 is also widely expressed in testes and prostate tissues. The presence of SARS-CoV-2 in human semen of COVID-19 affected men is controversial, but in recovered subjects the spermiogenesis seems to be negatively affected with reduce motile spermatozoa. In addition, ACE2 was found to be expressed in peri-implantation embryos, SUGGESTING potential SARS-CoV-2 infection risks during embryo transfer, peri-implantation embryo development, and gestation.
The virus was also recovered from the placenta of COVID-19 positive women and some studies have shown the possibility of vertical transmission, potentially leading to pregnancy complications.
Although during the infection evidence of the involvement of reproductive organs are not reported, little is known about the long-term effects, as well as the influence of systemic drug assumption during the disease.
This Research Topic encourages researchers to address these topics, with updated reviews and research articles aiming to better understand the molecular mechanisms involved as well as to design the potential mitigation interventions.
Keywords: SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19, ACE2-TMPRSS2 expression, female and male reproductive systems reproductive tissues, ovary, oocyte, follicular fluid, testis, spermatozoa, assisted reproduction, fertilization, embryo, implantation, placenta, pregnancy
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