Sex and COVID-19: A Protective Role for Reproductive Steroids

Trends Endocrinol Metab. 2021 Jan;32(1):3-6. doi: 10.1016/j.tem.2020.11.004. Epub 2020 Nov 9.

Abstract

Evidence shows coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-induced symptom severity and mortality is more frequent in men than in women, suggesting sex steroids may play a protective role. Female reproductive steroids, estrogen and progesterone, and its metabolite allopregnanolone, are anti-inflammatory, reshape competence of immune cells, stimulate antibody production, and promote proliferation and repair of respiratory epithelial cells, suggesting they may protect against COVID-19 symptoms.

Keywords: COVID-19; allopregnanolone; estrogens; immune system; inflammation; progesterone.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Age Factors
  • Animals
  • COVID-19 / immunology*
  • COVID-19 / metabolism
  • Estradiol / immunology*
  • Estradiol / metabolism
  • Estrogens / immunology*
  • Estrogens / metabolism
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immune System / immunology*
  • Immune System / metabolism
  • Inflammation / immunology*
  • Inflammation / metabolism
  • Male
  • Pregnanolone / immunology*
  • Pregnanolone / metabolism
  • Pregnenolone / immunology*
  • Pregnenolone / metabolism
  • Progesterone / immunology*
  • Progesterone / metabolism
  • Sex Factors
  • Signal Transduction / immunology*

Substances

  • Estrogens
  • Progesterone
  • Estradiol
  • Pregnenolone
  • Pregnanolone