Those who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 with the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine did not show a drop in sperm count or quality, according to a study published in the Journal of American Medical Association.

The study included 45 men, who were previously screened for any possible fertility issues, aged between 25 and 31. The samples were collected from the subjects a day before they received their first dose of the vaccine. A follow-up sample was taken 70 days after the second dose, reported CNN.

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The samples were tested on various parameters, including motility, sperm value, concentration and total sperm count.

However, it was noted that even if the COVID-19 vaccine does not impact sperm quality, the virus itself can cause significant damage to the male reproductive tract, according to a study published in the journal Reproduction.

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Dr David Cohen, a senior official at Chicago’s Institute for Human Reproduction said in a statement, “We now have evidence that should reassure you that the risk of immunization compromising your sperm count is extremely low”, reported CNN.

The study was restricted to coronavirus vaccines which are based on an mRNA platform, which resulted in the AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson vaccines missing out.