Prior COVID-19 infection increases degenerated oocytes but does not affect IVF outcomes: a prospective cohort study

BackgroundThe global health crisis of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) continues to impact people of all age groups worldwide. Recent studies increasingly support that COVID-19 infection may affect reproductive function, causing subfertility and infertility. It is a prospective observational coho...

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Main Authors: Huijun Chen, Hongxin Guo, Qi Zhao, Yuan Li, Ge Lin, Philipp Kalk, Berthold Hocher, Fei Gong
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-05-01
Series:Frontiers in Endocrinology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fendo.2025.1599771/full
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author Huijun Chen
Huijun Chen
Huijun Chen
Hongxin Guo
Qi Zhao
Yuan Li
Yuan Li
Ge Lin
Ge Lin
Philipp Kalk
Philipp Kalk
Berthold Hocher
Berthold Hocher
Berthold Hocher
Berthold Hocher
Fei Gong
Fei Gong
author_facet Huijun Chen
Huijun Chen
Huijun Chen
Hongxin Guo
Qi Zhao
Yuan Li
Yuan Li
Ge Lin
Ge Lin
Philipp Kalk
Philipp Kalk
Berthold Hocher
Berthold Hocher
Berthold Hocher
Berthold Hocher
Fei Gong
Fei Gong
author_sort Huijun Chen
collection DOAJ
description BackgroundThe global health crisis of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) continues to impact people of all age groups worldwide. Recent studies increasingly support that COVID-19 infection may affect reproductive function, causing subfertility and infertility. It is a prospective observational cohort study conducted in the Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya. 781 women recovered from COVID-19 and 388 uninfected controls undergoing IVF treatment. All participants received standard IVF treatment. Oocyte and embryo quality parameters and pregnancy outcomes were analyzed. Primary outcomes were oocyte and embryo quality, secondary outcomes included clinical pregnancy rates.ResultsThe results show that the COVID-19 recovery group had a higher number of degenerated oocytes compared to controls (0.15 ± 0.40 vs. 0.10 ± 0.33, P=0.035). Regression analysis confirmed this association even after adjusting for confounding factors (Adjusted β: 0.065, 95% CI: 0.006-0.099, P=0.026). However, other parameters of oocyte and embryo quality were comparable between groups. No significant differences were observed in clinical pregnancy rate, implantation rate, early miscarriage rate, ectopic pregnancy rate, or ongoing pregnancy rate. The time interval between COVID-19 recovery and IVF treatment did not significantly affect outcomes.ConclusionOur study indicates that prior COVID-19 infection is associated with a slightly increased risk of degenerated oocytes but does not significantly impact other IVF outcomes or subsequent pregnancy rates. The time interval post-infection does not appear to influence IVF outcomes, suggesting no need to delay treatment following COVID-19 recovery. These findings provide reassurance for women planning IVF after COVID-19 infection.
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spelling doaj-art-21f676e62e834dba8428f8c7f2dbff0d2025-08-20T01:55:31ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Endocrinology1664-23922025-05-011610.3389/fendo.2025.15997711599771Prior COVID-19 infection increases degenerated oocytes but does not affect IVF outcomes: a prospective cohort studyHuijun Chen0Huijun Chen1Huijun Chen2Hongxin Guo3Qi Zhao4Yuan Li5Yuan Li6Ge Lin7Ge Lin8Philipp Kalk9Philipp Kalk10Berthold Hocher11Berthold Hocher12Berthold Hocher13Berthold Hocher14Fei Gong15Fei Gong16Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, NHC Key Laboratory of Human Stem Cell and Reproductive Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, ChinaClinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, Hunan, ChinaDepartment of Nephrology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, GermanyInstitute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, NHC Key Laboratory of Human Stem Cell and Reproductive Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, ChinaInstitute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, NHC Key Laboratory of Human Stem Cell and Reproductive Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, ChinaInstitute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, NHC Key Laboratory of Human Stem Cell and Reproductive Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, ChinaClinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, Hunan, ChinaInstitute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, NHC Key Laboratory of Human Stem Cell and Reproductive Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, ChinaClinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, Hunan, ChinaDepartment of Nephrology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, GermanyDiaverum Renal Care Center, Diaverum MVZ Am Neuen Garten Standort Ludwigsfelde, Potsdam, GermanyInstitute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, NHC Key Laboratory of Human Stem Cell and Reproductive Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, ChinaClinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, Hunan, ChinaFifth Department of Medicine (Nephrology/Endocrinology/Rheumatology/Pneumology), University Medical Centre Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, GermanyIMD Institut für Medizinische Diagnostik Berlin-Potsdam GbR, Berlin, GermanyInstitute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, NHC Key Laboratory of Human Stem Cell and Reproductive Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, ChinaClinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, Hunan, ChinaBackgroundThe global health crisis of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) continues to impact people of all age groups worldwide. Recent studies increasingly support that COVID-19 infection may affect reproductive function, causing subfertility and infertility. It is a prospective observational cohort study conducted in the Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya. 781 women recovered from COVID-19 and 388 uninfected controls undergoing IVF treatment. All participants received standard IVF treatment. Oocyte and embryo quality parameters and pregnancy outcomes were analyzed. Primary outcomes were oocyte and embryo quality, secondary outcomes included clinical pregnancy rates.ResultsThe results show that the COVID-19 recovery group had a higher number of degenerated oocytes compared to controls (0.15 ± 0.40 vs. 0.10 ± 0.33, P=0.035). Regression analysis confirmed this association even after adjusting for confounding factors (Adjusted β: 0.065, 95% CI: 0.006-0.099, P=0.026). However, other parameters of oocyte and embryo quality were comparable between groups. No significant differences were observed in clinical pregnancy rate, implantation rate, early miscarriage rate, ectopic pregnancy rate, or ongoing pregnancy rate. The time interval between COVID-19 recovery and IVF treatment did not significantly affect outcomes.ConclusionOur study indicates that prior COVID-19 infection is associated with a slightly increased risk of degenerated oocytes but does not significantly impact other IVF outcomes or subsequent pregnancy rates. The time interval post-infection does not appear to influence IVF outcomes, suggesting no need to delay treatment following COVID-19 recovery. These findings provide reassurance for women planning IVF after COVID-19 infection.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fendo.2025.1599771/fullpost-COVID-19oocyte qualityembryo qualitypregnancy outcomestime interval
spellingShingle Huijun Chen
Huijun Chen
Huijun Chen
Hongxin Guo
Qi Zhao
Yuan Li
Yuan Li
Ge Lin
Ge Lin
Philipp Kalk
Philipp Kalk
Berthold Hocher
Berthold Hocher
Berthold Hocher
Berthold Hocher
Fei Gong
Fei Gong
Prior COVID-19 infection increases degenerated oocytes but does not affect IVF outcomes: a prospective cohort study
Frontiers in Endocrinology
post-COVID-19
oocyte quality
embryo quality
pregnancy outcomes
time interval
title Prior COVID-19 infection increases degenerated oocytes but does not affect IVF outcomes: a prospective cohort study
title_full Prior COVID-19 infection increases degenerated oocytes but does not affect IVF outcomes: a prospective cohort study
title_fullStr Prior COVID-19 infection increases degenerated oocytes but does not affect IVF outcomes: a prospective cohort study
title_full_unstemmed Prior COVID-19 infection increases degenerated oocytes but does not affect IVF outcomes: a prospective cohort study
title_short Prior COVID-19 infection increases degenerated oocytes but does not affect IVF outcomes: a prospective cohort study
title_sort prior covid 19 infection increases degenerated oocytes but does not affect ivf outcomes a prospective cohort study
topic post-COVID-19
oocyte quality
embryo quality
pregnancy outcomes
time interval
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fendo.2025.1599771/full
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