The effect of COVID-19 vaccines on sperm parameters: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Level 3 - non-randomized controlled study
Systematic review and meta-analysis of observational before-and-after studies.
PubMed 36510860 · doi:10.4103/aja2022100
What was done
A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate sperm parameters before and after administration of various COVID-19 vaccines (including mRNA and inactivated vaccines). Primary outcomes assessed included semen volume, total sperm motility, sperm concentration, morphological change, and total sperm count.
What was found
The review synthesized data across six studies on total sperm motility, six on semen volume, six on sperm concentration, two on morphological change, and two on total sperm count. No discernible differences in sperm parameters were observed before versus after vaccination or between different vaccine types. Specific numerical effect sizes, confidence intervals, and participant totals were not reported in the abstract.
Why it matters
This review provides reassuring evidence countering concerns that COVID-19 vaccination causes male reproductive toxicity or degrades semen quality.
Limits
The total sample size (number of participants) and numerical outcome estimates are omitted from the abstract. Most included studies relied on uncontrolled before-and-after comparisons; only one study included a comparison between vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals. Total sperm count and morphology were evaluated in only two studies.
Cited by
- supports A study looking at fertility in men found no effect of COVID-19 vaccines on normal sperm parameters including motility.