Can having a COVID 19 infection effect subsequent IVF treatment cycles?

Covid19 has disrupted many areas in our daily lives. However, there was no information in the medical literature found regarding the effect of a COVID-19 infection on subsequent IVF treatment cycles. Therefore, Prof Orvieto et al decided to investigate this area.  

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Here is what they found out:

• While no differences were observed in the number of oocytes (eggs) and mature oocytes retrieved, fertilization rate or semen analysis, the ratio of top-quality embryos per number of 2PN (fertilizations) were significantly lower post COVID-19 infection.
• It was  suggested to postpone IVF treatment for a least 3 months (duration of folliculogenesis and spermatogenesis, ie the creation of new follicles and sperm cells) after recovering from COVID-19infection, with the aim  to recruit healthy gametes (ie reproductive cells) that were not exposed to COVID-19 infection during their development

Our take home message:

If a donor had been infected with COVID-19, they will only commence ovarian stimulation at least 3 months after recovery from the infection. 

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References:

Orvieto R, Segev-Zahav A, Aizer A. Does COVID-19 infection influence patients’ performance during IVF-ET cycle?: an observational study. Gynecol Endocrinol [Internet]. 2021;37(10):895–7. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1080/09513590.2021.1918080