Browsing by Author "Yakass, Michael B."

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    Risks of SARS-CoV-2 on male reproductive health and the practice of semen analysis and cryopreservation
    (Future Medicine Ltd, 2020-11-06) Yakass, Michael B.; Quaye, Osbourne; Woodward, Bryan J
    The COVID-19 pandemic has led to urgent action by fertility clinics across the world. Many countries took the decision to suspend fertility treatments to mitigate the risk of spreading the infection, following international professional body guidance (e.g., from the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology and from the American Society of Reproductive Medicine). Given the virulence of SARS-CoV-2 and our lack of knowledge of how it can affect medically assisted reproduction (MAR), suspension was the safest course of action. Viruses are a concern for MAR. In 2005, the European Union issued directives to ensure that all patients are screened for three blood-borne viruses HIV, HBV and HCV, prior to embarking on any form of MAR. More recently, mosquito-borne viruses have also been shown to affect fertility [1]. For example, Zika virus RNA has been detected in semen of infected men for up to 1 year post-recovery, even after the patients are cleared of symptoms