Coronavirus disease 2019 vaccination and infertility treatment outcomes

Abstract

ObjectiveTo assess the influence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) messenger ribonucleic acid vaccine on ovarian response and in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment outcomes.DesignA retrospective cohort study.SettingA tertiary university-affiliated medical center and a private medical center.Patient(s)The study included a total of 400 patients, 200 vaccinated women and 200 age-matched unvaccinated women, who underwent IVF in January–April 2021.Intervention(s)None.Main Outcome Measure(s)The mean number of oocytes retrieved and clinical pregnancy rates in vaccinated vs. unvaccinated patients.Result(s)A total of 200 patients underwent oocyte retrieval 14–68 days after receiving COVID-19 vaccination. No difference was found in the mean number of oocytes retrieved per cycle (10.63 vs. 10.72) between vaccinated and unvaccinated patients. Among 128 vaccinated and 133 unvaccinated patients who underwent fresh embryos transfers, no difference was demonstrated in the clinical pregnancy rates (32.8% vs. 33.1%), with 42 and 44 clinical pregnancies, respectively. The fertilization rates and mean number of cryopreserved embryos were similar between the 2 groups in freeze-all cycles (55.43% vs. 54.29% and 3.59 vs. 3.28, respectively). Among vaccinated and unvaccinated patients who underwent fresh embryo transfers, no difference was noted in the fertilization rate (64.81% vs. 61.98%) and transferred embryos’ quality. Regression models applied demonstrated no effect of the vaccine on oocyte yields and pregnancy rates.Conclusion(s)The COVID-19 messenger ribonucleic acid vaccine did not affect the ovarian response or pregnancy rates in IVF treatment. Women should be vaccinated for COVID-19 before attempting to conceive via IVF treatments, given the higher risk of severe illness in pregnant women.