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Wei SQ, Luu TM, Ayoub A, Lewin A, Auger N. Assisted Reproductive Technology During COVID-19: A Population-Based Study Of Pregnancy Outcomes. Reprod Sci 2024:10.1007/s43032-024-01649-x. [PMID: 39030447 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-024-01649-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 07/09/2024] [Indexed: 07/21/2024]
Abstract
We assessed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the pregnancy outcomes of patients who used assisted reproductive technology. We conducted a population-based cohort study of 443,101 patients who conceived naturally or with assisted reproductive technology between December 2015 and July 2021 and had a delivery in hospitals of Quebec, Canada. The main exposure measure was use of assisted reproductive technology before or during the pandemic. Outcomes included preeclampsia, preterm birth, and other pregnancy complications. We used adjusted log-binomial regression models to estimate risk ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the association of assisted reproductive technology with adverse pregnancy outcomes compared with natural conception before vs. during the pandemic. In secondary analyses, we examined the association of COVID-19 infection with pregnancy outcomes among women who used assisted reproductive technology. Compared with natural conception, assisted reproductive technology was associated with an increased risk of preeclampsia (RR 1.43; 95% CI 1.21-1.68), preterm birth (RR 2.07; 95% CI 1.84-2.33), and low birth weight (RR 1.94; 95% CI 1.72-2.20) during the pandemic. However, the same risks were also present before the pandemic. Compared with no infection, COVID-19 infection was not associated with adverse outcomes among women who conceived with assisted reproductive technology. This study suggests that the COVID-19 pandemic did not significantly impact the pregnancy outcomes of women who underwent assisted reproductive procedures in Quebec. The findings are reassuring for patients concerned about the potential reproductive effects of the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu Qin Wei
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Institut national de santé publique du Québec, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Thuy Mai Luu
- Department of Pediatrics, Sainte-Justine Hospital Research Centre, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Aimina Ayoub
- Institut national de santé publique du Québec, Montreal, QC, Canada
- University of Montreal Hospital Research Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Antoine Lewin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sherbrooke University, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - Nathalie Auger
- Institut national de santé publique du Québec, Montreal, QC, Canada.
- University of Montreal Hospital Research Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada.
- Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada.
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
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Hu X, Feng G, Chen Q, Sang Y, Chen Q, Wang S, Liu S, Bai L, Zhu Y. The impact and inflammatory characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 infection during ovarian stimulation on the outcomes of assisted reproductive treatment. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2024; 15:1353068. [PMID: 38726341 PMCID: PMC11079226 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1353068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2023] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Despite the global prevalence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), limited research has been conducted on the effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection on human reproduction. The aims of this study were to investigate the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection during controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) on the outcomes of assisted reproductive treatment (ART) and the cytokine status of patients. Methods This retrospective cohort study included 202 couples who received ART treatment, 101 couples infected with SARS-CoV-2 during COS and 101 matched uninfected couples. The parameters of ovarian stimulation and pregnancy outcomes were compared between the two groups. The All-Human Inflammation Array Q3 kit was utilized to measure cytokine levels in both blood and follicular fluid. Results No difference was found in the number of good-quality embryos (3.3 ± 3.1 vs. 3.0 ± 2.2, P = 0.553) between the infected and uninfected groups. Among couples who received fresh embryo transfers, no difference was observed in clinical pregnancy rate (53.3% vs. 51.5%, P = 0.907). The rates of fertilization, implantation, miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy and live birth were also comparable between the two groups. After adjustments were made for confounders, regression models indicated that the quality of embryos (B = 0.16, P = 0.605) and clinical pregnancy rate (P = 0.206) remained unaffected by SARS-CoV-2 infection. The serum levels of MCP-1, TIMP-1, I-309, TNF-RI and TNF-RII were increased, while that of eotaxin-2 was decreased in COVID-19 patients. No significant difference was found in the levels of cytokines in follicular fluid between the two groups. Conclusion Asymptomatic or mild COVID-19 during COS had no adverse effects on ART outcomes. Although mild inflammation was present in the serum, it was not detected in the follicular fluid of these patients. The subsequent immune response needs further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoling Hu
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Guofang Feng
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Qichao Chen
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yimiao Sang
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Qingqing Chen
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Sisi Wang
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Shuangying Liu
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Long Bai
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Genetics, Ministry of Education, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yimin Zhu
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Genetics, Ministry of Education, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
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Lisonkova S, Bone JN, Muraca GM, Razaz N, Boutin A, Brandt JS, Bedaiwy MA, Ananth CV, Joseph KS. Response to the Commentary 'Causes of ART-related outcomes in the COVID-19 era'. Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol 2023; 37:566-568. [PMID: 37185987 DOI: 10.1111/ppe.12980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Sarka Lisonkova
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of British Columbia and the Children's and Women's Hospital and Health Centre of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Jeffrey N Bone
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of British Columbia and the Children's and Women's Hospital and Health Centre of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Giulia M Muraca
- Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Health Research Methods, Evidence and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Clinical Epidemiology Division, Department of Medicine, Solna, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Neda Razaz
- Clinical Epidemiology Division, Department of Medicine, Solna, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Amelie Boutin
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
- Reproduction, Mother and Youth Health and Population Health and Optimal Health Practices Units, CHU de Québec-Université Laval Research Center, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
| | - Justin S Brandt
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, USA
| | - Mohamed A Bedaiwy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of British Columbia and the Children's and Women's Hospital and Health Centre of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Cande V Ananth
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
- Cardiovascular Institute of New Jersey and Department of Medicine, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Rutgers School of Public Health, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
- Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
| | - K S Joseph
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of British Columbia and the Children's and Women's Hospital and Health Centre of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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Bruckner TA, Gemmill A. Causes of ART-related outcomes in the COVID-19 era. Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol 2023; 37:128-130. [PMID: 36683561 DOI: 10.1111/ppe.12953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Tim A Bruckner
- Public Health and the Center for Population, Inequality, and Policy, University of California, Irvine, California, USA
| | - Alison Gemmill
- Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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Zeitlin J. The challenges of time for studies on the population effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on perinatal outcomes. Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol 2023; 37:131-133. [PMID: 36717695 PMCID: PMC10108246 DOI: 10.1111/ppe.12958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Zeitlin
- Obstetrical, Perinatal and Pediatric Epidemiology Research Team UMR 1153, Inserm and Université Paris-Cité, Paris, France
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