The impact of COVID-19 on the outcomes of assisted reproductive technology programs


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Abstract

Objective: To investigate the outcomes of assisted reproductive technology (ART) programs in patients with a history of COVID-19 of various severity. Materials and methods: This prospective study enrolled 240 infertile patients. They were divided into group 1 comprising patients without a history of COVID-19 (n=105) and group 2 (n=135) including patients who less than 12 months before the ART cycle had mild (subgroup 2a, n=85) or moderate (subgroup 2b, n=50) COVID-19. The level of specific antibodies to SARS- CoV-2, parameters of oogenesis, early embryogenesis, and clinical outcomes of HRT were evaluated. Results: The parameters of oogenesis and embryogenesis, pregnancy and delivery rates did not differ between groups 1 and 2. A weak negative correlation was detected between the level of IgG-antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 and the number of obtained oocytes and embryos. Patients with an interval between COVID-19 and ART cycle 46 months had a significantly higher relative number of poor-quality blastocysts than women with >6 months interval. Patients who experienced moderate COVID-19 had a high early miscarriage rate of (12%). Conclusion: COVID-19 can adversely affect reproductive outcomes, lead to a decrease in the number of oocytes and embryos obtained in ART cycles and their quality, and increase the risk of early miscarriage. More research is needed to investigate the mechanisms underlying the adverse effects of COVID-19 and the post- COVID syndrome.

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About the authors

Nataliya V. Dolgushina

Academician V.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation

Email: n_dolgushina@oparina4.ru
Dr. Med. Sci., Professor, Deputy Director - Head of the Department for Scientific Projects Administration

Darya M. Ermakova

Academician V.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation

Postgraduate Student, Department of Assisted Technologies for the Treatment of Infertility

Natalia A. Lomova

Academician V.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation

Email: n_lomova@oparina4.ru
PhD, Senior Researcher

Irina V. Menzhinskaya

Academician V.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation

Email: i_menzinskaya@oparina4.ru
Dr. Med. Sci., Leading Researcher

Valentina V. Vtorushina

Academician V.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation

Email: v_vtorushina@oparina4.ru
Ph.D., Clinical Pathologist

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