Spermatogenesis is a complex and elaborate differentiation process and is vital for male fertility. Sertoli cells play a major role in fertility and induce spermatogenesis by protecting, nourishing, and supporting germ cells. It has been speculated that severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) could directly affect the male reproductive system, and therefore heredity and fertility. The similarity of SARS-CoV-2 to SARS-CoV could confirm this hypothesis because both viruses use angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE2) as the receptor to enter human cells. ACE2 is expressed by Sertoli cells and other testicular cells, therefore COVID-19 has the potential to impair fertility by destroying Sertoli cells. This hypothesis should be evaluated and confirmed by monitoring fertility in patients with COVID-19.

中文翻译：

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回顾由 COVID-19 引起的可能影响男性生育能力的支持细胞功能障碍

精子发生是一个复杂而精细的分化过程，对男性生育能力至关重要。支持细胞在生育力中起主要作用，并通过保护、滋养和支持生殖细胞来诱导精子发生。据推测，严重急性呼吸综合征冠状病毒 2 (SARS-CoV-2) 可能直接影响男性生殖系统，从而影响遗传和生育能力。SARS-CoV-2 与 SARS-CoV 的相似性可以证实这一假设，因为这两种病毒都使用血管紧张素转换酶 (ACE2) 作为受体进入人体细胞。ACE2 由支持细胞和其他睾丸细胞表达，因此 COVID-19 有可能通过破坏支持细胞来损害生育能力。应通过监测 COVID-19 患者的生育能力来评估和确认这一假设。