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Publications

Journal Article Ppublish 1 citation

PubMed: 39883303 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-025-03403-x

Ovarian function after COVID-19: long-term effects and vaccine safety in ART patients.

J Assist Reprod Genet 42(2):563-576

Authors: Yamila Herrero, Candela Velazquez, Natalia Pascuali, Vanesa Hauk, Ignacio de Zúñiga, Gustavo Martínez, Mariano Lavolpe, Fernando Neuspiller, María Florencia Veiga, Leopoldina Scotti, Dalhia Abramovich, Fernanda Parborell

Affiliations

  • Ovarian Physiopathology Studies Laboratory, Institute of Experimental Biology and Medicine (IByME) - CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
  • Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), Chicago, IL, USA.
  • Immunopharmacology Laboratory, Institute of Biological Chemistry (IQUIBICEN), School of Exact and Natural Sciences, University of Buenos Aires-CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
  • Pregna Medicina Reproductiva, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
  • Medicina Reproductiva Fertilis, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
  • In Vitro Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
  • We FIV, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
  • Centro de Investigaciones y Transferencia del Noroeste de La Provincia de Buenos Aires (CITNOBA-UNSADA-CONICET), San Antonio de Areco, Argentina.
  • Ovarian Physiopathology Studies Laboratory, Institute of Experimental Biology and Medicine (IByME) - CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Abstract

PURPOSE

This study aimed to evaluate the long-term impact of mild COVID-19 infection and COVID-19 vaccination on ovarian function in patients undergoing assisted reproductive technology (ART). Specifically, we assessed ovarian outcomes between 9 and 18 months post-infection and investigated the effects of COVID-19 vaccines (inactivated virus and adenovirus) on reproductive parameters.

METHODS

The study included two objectives: (a) examining ovarian function in post-COVID-19 patients (9-18 months post-infection) compared to a control group and (b) comparing reproductive outcomes in vaccinated versus unvaccinated patients. According to the study objectives, ART patients were divided into the following groups: a control group (n = 30), a post-COVID-19 group (n = 55), an unvaccinated group (n = 70), and a vaccinated group (n = 55). Findings revealed a reduction in the number of retrieved and mature oocytes in patients over 36 years in the post-COVID-19 group. Lower IL-1β levels were found in follicular fluid (FF) of post-COVID-19 patients, while VEGF levels were reestablished between 9 and 18 months post-infection. Although cell migration was reduced in endothelial cells incubated with post-COVID-19 FF, angiogenic factor levels and DNA integrity remained stable. No significant differences in retrieved or mature oocytes were observed between vaccinated and unvaccinated patients.

CONCLUSIONS

VEGF levels and DNA integrity in FF from post-COVID-19 patients were normalized between 9 and 18 months post-infection. Additionally, COVID-19 vaccination did not negatively impact ovarian response in ART patients, supporting vaccine safety in reproductive contexts.

MeSH

Cells, Safety, Vaccines, Genetics, Reproductive Techniques, Fertilization In Vitro, Vaccination, Oocytes, Covid-19, Viruses, Embryo Transfer, Infections