Clinicopathological and in silico Insights into Male Infertility: Age-related Trends and Anti-sperm Antibodies Post COVID-19 Vaccination.

Abstract

Background: Infertility was often considered a female issue, but male infertility emerged significantly after the COVID-19 pandemic. Hence, assessments are crucial for planning policies on health care and family planning and reasons thereof post vaccinations.

Materials and methods: The present study was a case-control, dual-centers, prospective study with normal sperm parameters. Semen samples collected by masturbation for idiopathic reasons were conducted at King Abdulaziz University with 133 samples, followed by molecular modeling via interaction between IZUMO1, Alpha2A adrenergic receptor, and Fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 protein with IgA antibody produced post vaccination/infection.

Results and discussion: The infertile males under 30 (21%), 31-40 (50%), 41-50 (24%) and over 50 (5%), with altered sperm motility grades are A (8.45%), B (11.1%), C (15.8%), and D (59.8%) were reported. Liquefaction times range from 36 to 30 minutes by age, with abnormal sperm percentages between 43.85% and 46.33%. Protein molecular interaction between IZUMO1, Alpha2A adrenergic receptor, and Fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 protein with IgA antibody shows cumulative length of 25.354 Å, 39.049 Å, and 41.999 Å, respectively, with significant interaction between atoms chain, amino acid, marked variation in bond length.

Conclusion: Male infertility peaks at 31-40 years, with lowering in men aged 41-50 years, IgA antibody reduced sperm motility, causing immunogenic infertility exacerbated post-COVID-19 vaccination or infection. Interaction of IgA and various receptors produced stable interactive molecules of IgA and proteins on sperm, affecting motility, aliquefication, and abnormal sperm percentage disturbing the normal dynamics of sperm cells opening a new dimension of infertility among males.