Brazilian Study Reveals Surprising Link Between SARS-CoV-2 Nucleocapsid Protein And Lower Testosterone Levels!
COVID-19 News - SARS-CoV-2 Nucleocapsid Protein - Lower Testosterone Levels! Jun 12, 2023 1 year, 6 months, 1 week, 3 days, 21 hours, 29 minutes ago
Exposure to the N-Proteins Of The SARS-CoV-2 Virus Either Via Natural Infections Or Via Vaccines Could Lead To Hypogonadism!
COVID-19 News: The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has placed an immense burden on global health systems, prompting a race to develop effective vaccines and medical treatments. One protein of particular interest is the Nucleocapsid protein (N protein), which is highly expressed during SARS-CoV-2 infection and plays a crucial role in the immune response.
A Brazilian study conducted by the Androscience - Science and Innovation Center in Andrology and High-Complex Clinical and Research Andrology Laboratory, in collaboration with the University of Sao Paulo and the University Center of ABC Medical School, sheds light on the potential impact of the N protein on testosterone levels in males.
Past
COVID-19 News Coverages have already showed that the SARS-CoV-2 can affect male reproductive health in a variety of ways.
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/breaking-news!-latest-research-published-by-chinese-scientists-say-coronavirus-might-render-certain-male-patients-infertile
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/breaking-covid-19-news-turkish-study-finds-sars-cov-2-virus-in-penile-tissues-of-men-who-recovered-from-covid-19-implications-for-erectile-dysfunction
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/sars-cov-2-news-ultrasound-diagnostic-imaging-shows-that-sars-cov-2-causes-acute-testicular-infection-in-a-high-proportion-of-male-covid-19-patients
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/who-warns-that-infertility-rates-are-rising-with-17-5-percent-of-individuals-globally-infertile-covid-19-at-play
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/breaking-brazilian-and-american-study-discovers-that-the-testes-of-males-could-be-viral-sanctuaries-for-the-sars-cov-2-virus
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://www.thailandmedical.news/news/breaking-columbia-university-study-confirms-presence-of-sars-cov-2-virus-in-human-semen-along-with-infected-males-having-low-sperm-count
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/breaking-study-identifies-human-proteins-targeted-by-covid-19-induced-autoantibodies-and-also-alarmingly-discovers-male-fertility-is-greatly-at-risk
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/bad-news-belgium-study-finds-that-males-who-had-covid-19-will-have-low-sperm-and-motility-levels-for-months-good-news-they-will-not-turn-into-drag-que
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/coronavirus-news-could-covid-19-create-a-whole-generation-of-virally-castrated-eunuchs-study-confirms-male-fertility-is-at-risk
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/breaking-columbia-university-study-confirms-presence-of-sars-cov-2-virus-in-human-semen-along-with-infected-males-having-low-sperm-count
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/breaking-male-infertility-research-shows-that-sars-cov-2-coronavirus-may-indirectly-cause-testicular-damage-in-male-covid-19-patients-and-also-orchiti
The Role of Nucleocapsid Protein
The SARS-CoV-2 genome consists of a single strand of messenger RNA that encodes various proteins, including the Nucleocapsid protein. Unlike the Spike protein, which is commonly used in vaccine development but is prone to mutations, the N protein offers genomic stability and a high immune response. It activates T lymphocytes and antibodies in infected patients, making it a promising candidate for future vaccines. In fact it is already being incorporated in some of the newer COVID-10 jabs and boosters.
Understanding the Impact on Male Reproductive Health
While the effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection on male fertility are well-documented, the potential adverse effects of COVID-19 vaccines on the male reproductive tract remain largely unknown. Clinical trials exploring this area are currently lacking.
Therefore, the Brazilian study aimed to investigate the safety of a future vaccine based on the N protein, focusing on its effects on testes, epididymis, seminal vesicles, prostate gland, and sex hormone levels.
Findings of the Study
The study involved injecting Lewis rats with the recombinant N protein over a period of 28 days, while a control group received a buffer solution. Analysis of the male reproductive organs revealed a higher number of spermatozoa in the N protein group compared to the control group. Thailand
Medical News however noted that the study team did not study if there were mutations or genetic changes in the spermatozoa.
The study findings however found that the N protein group exhibited significantly lower testosterone levels. No other significant histological or biochemical changes were observed.
Implications for Hypogonadism and Future Research
The observed hormonal imbalance in the testes, mediated by the SARS-CoV-2 N protein, raises questions about its potential connection to post-COVID-19 syndrome hypogonadism.
The study suggests that further research is necessary to confirm the deleterious mechanism of this viral antigen in the human testicular microenvironment, particularly regarding Leydig cell function.
Limitations, Need for Future Studies and Implications
The study acknowledges several limitations, including a small sample size, lack of comprehensive immunohistochemical analyses, and confounding factors associated with the control group. Furthermore, the study did not measure sex hormone levels before inoculation, which may affect the interpretation of the results. The study team stress the need for prospective cohort studies with larger sample sizes to explore other potential factors influencing hormonal alterations.
Despite the limitations, this innovative study sheds light on the potential impact of the N protein on male reproductive function. While it concludes that immunization with the N protein does not cause significant tissue damage to the male reproductive tract or alter the number of spermatozoa, the study highlights the need for further investigation into the long-term effects of immunizations on male reproductive health, including fertility and testicular endocrine function in the post-COVID-19 era.
Conclusion
The Brazilian study provides valuable insights into the relationship between the SARS-CoV-2 Nucleocapsid protein and testosterone levels, revealing a surprising association. While it lays the groundwork for understanding the potential impact of COVID-19 vaccines on male reproductive health.
The study findings were published in the peer reviewed journal: Frontiers in Physiology.
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2022.867444/full
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