COVID-19 and Fertility Autoantibodies

Spermatogenesis-Related Autoantibodies in Acute and Long COVID-19

Presented at the 13th International Congress on Autoimmunity
Speaker: Laura Talamini

COVID-19 has been linked to the production of autoantibodies targeting proteins involved in spermatogenesis, the process by which sperm cells develop. Because the reproductive system is especially vulnerable to infection and expresses high levels of the ACE2 receptor used by SARS-CoV-2, researchers investigated whether autoantibodies might interfere with fertility in both men and women.

Talamini’s team examined serum samples from patients with acute and long COVID-19, comparing them with healthy controls and vaccinated individuals. They identified cross-reactivity between the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and spermatogenesis-related proteins, focusing on four key peptides.

Findings showed that:

• Acute COVID-19 patients had elevated antibodies against peptide 2.
• Long COVID patients had elevated antibodies against peptide 4.
• Females with long COVID also showed increased antibodies against peptide 2.
• Vaccinated individuals did not show elevated antibodies against peptides 2 or 4.

These results suggest COVID-19, but not vaccination, may trigger immune responses against reproductive proteins, raising concern about possible fertility-related complications after infection. The study has not yet been published.

Citations

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