Ovarian follicular function is not altered by SARS –CoV-2 infection or BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccination

AbstractSTUDY QUESTIONDoes the immune response to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection or the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine involve the ovarian follicle, and does it affect its function?SUMMARY ANSWERWe were able to demonstrate anti-severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS –CoV-2) IgG in follicular fluid (FF) from both infected and vaccinated IVF patients, with no evidence for compromised follicular function.WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADYNo research data are available yet.STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATIONThis is a cohort study, composed of 32 consecutive IVF patients, either infected with COVID-19, vaccinated or non-exposed, conducted between 1 February and 10 March 2021 in a single university hospital-based IVF clinic.PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODSA consecutive sample of female consenting patients undergoing oocyte retrieval was recruited and assigned to one of the three study groups: recovering from confirmed COVID-19 (n  = 9); vaccinated (n = 9); and uninfected, non-vaccinated controls (n = 14). Serum and FF samples were taken and analyzed for anti-COVID IgG as well as estrogen, progesterone and heparan sulfate proteoglycan 2 concentration, as well as the number and maturity of aspirated oocytes and day of trigger estrogen and progesterone measurements. Main outcome measures were follicular function, including steroidogenesis, follicular response to the LH/hCG trigger, and oocyte quality biomarkers.MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCEBoth COVID-19 an...
Source: Human Reproduction - Category: Reproduction Medicine Source Type: research