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Multicenter Study
. 2022 Sep;10(6):1016-1022.
doi: 10.1111/andr.13209. Epub 2022 Jun 27.

Covid-19 vaccination BNT162b2 temporarily impairs semen concentration and total motile count among semen donors

Itai Gat  1   2   3 , Alon Kedem  2   3   4 , Michal Dviri  5 , Ana Umanski  1 , Matan Levi  4 , Ariel Hourvitz  2   3 , Micha Baum  3   6
Affiliations
Multicenter Study

Covid-19 vaccination BNT162b2 temporarily impairs semen concentration and total motile count among semen donors

Itai Gat et al. Andrology. 2022 Sep.

Abstract

Background: The development of covid-19 vaccinations represents a notable scientific achievement. Nevertheless, concerns have been raised regarding their possible detrimental impact on male fertility OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of covid-19 BNT162b2 (Pfizer) vaccine on semen parameters among semen donors (SD).

Methods: Thirty-seven SD from three sperm banks that provided 216 samples were included in that retrospective longitudinal multicenter cohort study. BNT162b2 vaccination included two doses, and vaccination completion was scheduled 7 days after the second dose. The study included four phases: T0 - pre-vaccination baseline control, which encompassed 1-2 initial samples per SD; T1, T2 and T3 - short, intermediate, and long terms evaluations, respectively. Each included 1-3 semen samples per donor provided 15-45, 75-125 and over 145 days after vaccination completion, respectively. The primary endpoints were semen parameters. Three statistical analyses were conducted: (1) generalized estimated equation model; (2) first sample and (3) samples' mean of each donor per period were compared to T0.

Results: Repetitive measurements revealed -15.4% sperm concentration decrease on T2 (CI -25.5%-3.9%, p = 0.01) leading to total motile count 22.1% reduction (CI -35% - -6.6%, p = 0.007) compared to T0. Similarly, analysis of first semen sample only and samples' mean per donor resulted in concentration and total motile count (TMC) reductions on T2 compared to T0 - median decline of 12 million/ml and 31.2 million motile spermatozoa, respectively (p = 0.02 and 0.002 respectively) on first sample evaluation and median decline of 9.5 × 106 and 27.3 million motile spermatozoa (p = 0.004 and 0.003, respectively) on samples' mean examination. T3 evaluation demonstrated overall recovery without. Semen volume and sperm motility were not impaired.

Discussion: This longitudinal study focused on SD demonstrates selective temporary sperm concentration and TMC deterioration 3 months after vaccination followed by later recovery verified by diverse statistical analyses.

Conclusions: Systemic immune response after BNT162b2 vaccine is a reasonable cause for transient semen concentration and TMC decline. Long-term prognosis remains good.

Keywords: BNT162b2; Covid-19; male infertility; semen donors.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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