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1
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Affiliation(s)
- Gábor Vajta
- RVT Australia, 20 Slate Close, Brinsmead, Cairns, QLD, Australia
- VitaVitro Biotech Co., Ltd, Shenzhen, China
| | - Catello Scarica
- European Hospital, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Rome, Italy
| | - Lodovico Parmegiani
- Next Fertility GynePro—NextClinics International, Bologna, Italy
- Correspondence address. Next Fertility GynePro—NextClinics International, Via T. Cremona 8, Bologna 40137, Italy. E-mail:
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Anifandis G, Taylor TH, Messini CI, Chatzimeletiou K, Daponte A, Ioannou D, Tempest HG. The Impact of SARS-CoV-2 on Sperm Cryostorage, Theoretical or Real Risk? ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 57:medicina57090946. [PMID: 34577870 PMCID: PMC8467274 DOI: 10.3390/medicina57090946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2021] [Revised: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Cryopreservation of human gametes and embryos as well as human reproductive tissues has been characterized as an essential process and aspect of assisted reproductive technology (ART). Notably, sperm cryopreservation is a fundamental aspect of cryopreservation in oncological patients or patients undergoing gonadotoxic treatment. Given that there is a risk of contamination or cross-contamination, either theoretical or real, during the procedures of cryopreservation and cryostorage, both the European Society for Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) and the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) have provided updated guidelines for preventing or reducing the contamination risk of sexually transmitted viruses. Given the ongoing and worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, there is considerable interest in what measures should be taken to mitigate SARS-CoV-2 contamination during cryopreservation and cryostorage of semen samples. The SARS-CoV-2 virus is the virus that causes COVID-19, and whose transmission and infection is mainly aerosol-mediated. Several ART professional societies, including ESHRE and ASRM have proposed measures to mitigate the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Whether the proposed safety directives are enough to mitigate the possible SARS-CoV-2-contamination of sperm samples during cryopreservation or whether the policies should be re-evaluated will be discussed in this review. Additionally, insights regarding the possible impact of COVID-19 vaccination on the safety of sperm cryopreservation will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- George Anifandis
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 41200 Larisa, Greece; (C.I.M.); (A.D.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +30-6975865861
| | - Tyl H Taylor
- Reproductive Endocrinology Associates of Charlotte, Charlotte, NC 28207, USA;
| | - Christina I Messini
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 41200 Larisa, Greece; (C.I.M.); (A.D.)
| | - Katerina Chatzimeletiou
- 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Unit for Human Reproduction, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Aristotelian University of Thessaloniki, 56403 Thessaloniki, Greece;
| | - Alexandros Daponte
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 41200 Larisa, Greece; (C.I.M.); (A.D.)
| | - Dimitrios Ioannou
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA; (D.I.); (H.G.T.)
| | - Helen G Tempest
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA; (D.I.); (H.G.T.)
- Biomolecular Sciences Institute, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA
- College of Medicine, Roseman University of Health Sciences, Las Vegas, NV 89135, USA
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Fertility preservation during the COVID-19 pandemic: mitigating the viral contamination risk to reproductive cells in cryostorage. Reprod Biomed Online 2020; 41:991-997. [PMID: 33032909 PMCID: PMC7490241 DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2020.09.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Revised: 09/09/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Reopening fertility care services across the world in the midst of a pandemic brings with it numerous concerns that need immediate addressing, such as the impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) on the male and female reproductive cells and the plausible risk of cross-contamination and transmission. Due to the novelty of the disease the literature contains few reports confirming an association of SARS-CoV-2 with reproductive tissues, gametes and embryos. Cryobanking, an essential service in fertility preservation, carries the risk of cross-contamination through cryogenic medium and thus calls for risk-mitigation strategies. This review aims to address the available literature on the presence of SARS-CoV-2 on tissues, gametes and embryos, with special reference to the possible sources of cross-contamination through liquid nitrogen. Strategies for risk mitigation have been extrapolated from reports dealing with other viruses to the current global crisis, for safety in fertility treatment services in general, and specifically for oncofertility.
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