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Study Links Paternal Covid-19 to Offspring Anxiety Risks

10/15/2025

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Summary

Story summary

A University of Melbourne Florey Institute study finds paternal Covid-19 infection may alter sperm and affect offspring brain development, increasing anxiety risk.
Male mice infected with SARS-CoV-2 showed offspring behavioral changes, especially in females, with altered hippocampal gene expression.
Researchers caution these results require human verification and may indicate long-term impacts on future generations.
Lead researcher Professor Anthony Hannan emphasizes understanding Covid-19's effects on infected individuals and their children.

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Story summary

A University of Melbourne Florey Institute study finds paternal Covid-19 infection may alter sperm and affect offspring brain development, increasing anxiety risk.
Male mice infected with SARS-CoV-2 showed offspring behavioral changes, especially in females, with altered hippocampal gene expression.
Researchers caution these results require human verification and may indicate long-term impacts on future generations.
Lead researcher Professor Anthony Hannan emphasizes understanding Covid-19's effects on infected individuals and their children.