Association between COVID-19 status and Leydig cell functional capacity among men in hospitalized cohorts

20260 citationsJournal Articlegold Open Access

Authors

Ravinder Anand-Ivell · University of Nottingham

Xinyuan Yang · University of Nottingham

Alexander W. Tarr · University of Nottingham

William Irving · Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust

David J. Clark · St George's, University of London

Henry M. Staines · St George's, University of London

Yolanda Augustin

Abstract

In this first study of the biomarker INSL3 in hospitalized men with COVID-19, the results identify a Leydig cell deficiency and consequent hypogonadism as integral to the symptoms of the illness, which was most marked in severely ill patients. In most cases, Leydig cells appeared to recover with treatment. Whether Leydig cells are directly affected by SARS-CoV-2 virus or indirectly via systemic inflammation is unclear, though both are likely.

Topics & Keywords

COVID-19 Clinical Research Studies Immune responses and vaccinations Long-Term Effects of COVID-19

UN Sustainable Development Goals

Gender equality

Publication Details

Published in: The Aging Male

Volume 29, Issue 1, pp. 2650000-2650000

DOI: 10.1080/13685538.2026.2650000

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