Viral threat to male fertility.
Level 5 - mechanism / opinion, no new human data
Narrative review summarizing animal and human literature without systematic search methodology
PubMed 30569651 · doi:10.1111/and.13140
What was done
This narrative review synthesizes literature on viral tropism for the male reproductive system—especially the testes—and the resulting impacts on male fertility across humans and farm animals, discussing viruses such as Zika, mumps, HIV, and hepatitis B and C.
What was found
The abstract provides no quantitative data or effect sizes. It qualitatively reports that several virus families damage testicular function and impair fertility, referencing recent mouse model evidence for Zika virus alongside established human clinical associations for mumps and HIV.
Why it matters
It consolidates evidence that viral infections beyond traditional sexually transmitted diseases pose risks to testicular health and male reproductive capacity.
Limits
The abstract describes a non-systematic narrative review with no primary data, participant numbers, or pooled estimates. Key findings on Zika virus are derived from mouse models, which may not directly generalize to humans.
Cited by
- supports Mumps infection in childhood can cause male infertility or sterility.