Although many studies have focused on SARS-CoV-2 infection in the lungs, comparatively little is known about the potential effects of the virus on male fertility. SARS-CoV-2 infection of target cells requires the presence of furin, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptors, and transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2). Thus, cells in the body that express these proteins might be highly susceptible to viral entry and downstream effects. Currently, reports regarding the expression of the viral entry proteins in the testes are conflicting; however, other members of the SARS-CoV family of viruses — such as SARS-CoV — have been suspected to cause testicular dysfunction and/or orchitis. SARS-CoV-2, which displays many similarities to SARS-CoV, could potentially cause similar adverse effects. Commonalities between SARS family members, taken in combination with sparse reports of testicular discomfort and altered hormone levels in patients with SARS-CoV-2, might indicate possible testicular dysfunction. Thus, SARS-CoV-2 infection has the potential for effects on testis somatic and germline cells and experimental approaches might be required to help identify potential short-term and long-term effects of SARS-CoV-2 on male fertility.

尽管许多研究都集中在肺部的 SARS-CoV-2 感染上，但对该病毒对男性生育能力的潜在影响知之甚少。SARS-CoV-2 感染靶细胞需要弗林蛋白酶、血管紧张素转换酶 2 (ACE2) 受体和跨膜蛋白酶丝氨酸 2 (TMPRSS2) 的存在。因此，体内表达这些蛋白质的细胞可能对病毒进入和下游效应高度敏感。目前，关于睾丸中病毒进入蛋白表达的报道相互矛盾；然而，SARS-CoV 病毒家族的其他成员（例如 SARS-CoV）被怀疑会导致睾丸功能障碍和/或睾丸炎。SARS-CoV-2 与 SARS-CoV 有许多相似之处，可能会引起类似的不良反应。SARS家族成员之间的共性，结合关于 SARS-CoV-2 患者睾丸不适和激素水平改变的稀少报告，可能表明可能存在睾丸功能障碍。因此，SARS-CoV-2 感染有可能对睾丸体细胞和生殖细胞产生影响，可能需要实验方法来帮助确定 SARS-CoV-2 对男性生育能力的潜在短期和长期影响。