Potential Role of Zinc in the COVID-19 Disease Process and its Probable Impact on Reproduction
Sethuram et al.,
Potential Role of Zinc in the COVID-19 Disease Process and its Probable Impact on Reproduction,
Reproductive Sciences, doi:10.1007/s43032-020-00400-6 (Review)
Review of zinc deficiency and supplementation for COVID-19, including potential impacts on reproductive health.
Sethuram et al., 7 Jan 2021, peer-reviewed, 3 authors.
Abstract: Reproductive Sciences (2022) 29:1–6
https://doi.org/10.1007/s43032-020-00400-6
REVIEW
Potential Role of Zinc in the COVID-19 Disease Process
and its Probable Impact on Reproduction
Ramya Sethuram 1 & David Bai 1 & Husam M. Abu-Soud 1,2,3
Received: 18 August 2020 / Accepted: 16 November 2020 / Published online: 7 January 2021
# Society for Reproductive Investigation 2021
Abstract
COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) is the current world health crisis, producing extensive morbidity and mortality across all
age groups. Given the established roles of zinc in combating oxidative damage and viral infections, zinc is being trialed as a
treatment modality against COVID-19. Zinc also has confirmed roles in both male and female reproduction. The possible
depletion of zinc with the oxidative events of COVID-19 is especially relevant to the fertility of affected couples. This review
aims to present the pathophysiology of COVID-19, especially in relation to reproductive function; the role of zinc in the COVID19 disease process; and how zinc depletion in concert with cytokine storm and reactive oxygen species production could affect
reproduction. It also highlights research areas to better the understanding of COVID-19 and its impact on fertility and potential
ways to mitigate the impact.
Keywords Coronavirus . Covid-19 . Reactive oxygen species . Zinc . Infertility
Abbreviations
COVID-19 Coronavirus disease-19
ROS
Reactive oxygen species
MPO
Myeloperoxidase
H2O2
Hydrogen peroxide
Zinc Deficiency and COVID-19
The association between zinc deficiency and worse outcomes
of respiratory viral infections has been established [1]. Hence,
zinc is being trialed as a nutritional supplement that is being
used either as a stand-alone intervention or in conjunction
with other nutrients for the prophylaxis and the treatment of
the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection [2]. The
* Husam M. Abu-Soud
habusoud@med.wayne.edu
1
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The C.S. Mott Center for
Human Growth and Development, Wayne State University School of
Medicine, 275 E. Hancock, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
2
Department of Physiology, Wayne State University School of
Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
3
Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Biochemistry,
Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201,
USA
well-documented roles of zinc in preventing cell damage and
its anti-viral properties are helpful in explaining the potential
role of zinc in COVID-19 management [3]. Furthermore,
there is a degree of overlap between the symptomatology of
COVID-19 and that of zinc deficiency.
Like the multiorgan damage and dysfunction characteristic
of severe COVID-19 progression, zinc deficiency has farreaching impacts, affecting the nervous, cardiovascular, thymic, immune, and endocrine systems [4]. Acute effects of zinc
deficiency include hair loss, diarrhea, delayed sexual maturation, impotence, hypogonadism in males, and skin lesions [5].
Also, zinc deficiency has been associated with a higher risk of
atherosclerosis, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, neurodegenerative disease, and obesity secondary to unrestrained chronic
inflammation [6–8]. These pathologies, in turn, have been
correlated with increased risk for COVID-19 related complications. To a certain degree, patients with these conditions are
also likely to have fertility-related and pregnancy-associated
complications. Pregnant women infected with COVID-19
have been documented to have poorer..
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