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COVID-19 Infection During Fertility Treatment: New Insights on Reproductive Safety

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Fresh data from a retrospective cohort study published in the Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics have shed light on the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection during controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) on pregnancy and obstetric outcomes in frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET) cycles. The study, conducted by researchers from the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University in Hefei, People's Republic of China, aimed to investigate the effect of COVID-19 infection on fertility treatment outcomes.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study analyzed 126 couples with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection during COS and evaluated FET outcomes using embryos generated during virologically active exposure windows. Controls were noninfected women during COS, matched by age, number, and day of embryo transfer in the same time.
  • The clinical pregnancy rates were 58.8% and 58.6% in the SARS-CoV-2-exposed and unexposed groups, respectively (P = 0.958).
  • No significant intergroup differences were observed in pregnancy features, including biochemical pregnancy, early miscarriage, ongoing pregnancy, and cumulative clinical pregnancy.
  • A total of 300 infertile couples were included in the cohort study, stratified into SARS-CoV-2-exposed (n = 126) and unexposed (n = 174) groups based on infection status during COS.
  • No significant differences were observed in obstetric outcomes, such as gestational age, cesarean section rates, and preterm birth rates.
  • The study concluded that FET cycles of patients with embryos generated from SARS-CoV-2 infection had no significant difference in pregnancy and obstetric outcomes.
  • However, the researchers emphasized the need for further longitudinal investigations to elucidate the transgenerational effects of SARS-CoV-2 on somatic maturation and neurodevelopmental trajectories in offspring.

Statistics:

  • 126 couples with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection during COS were included in the study.
  • 174 noninfected women during COS were used as controls.
  • The clinical pregnancy rates in the SARS-CoV-2-exposed and unexposed groups were 58.8% and 58.6%, respectively.
  • A total of 300 infertile couples were included in the cohort study.
  • 53.1% of the SARS-CoV-2-exposed group achieved ongoing pregnancy.
  • 52.9% of the unexposed group achieved ongoing pregnancy.
  • 46.8% of the SARS-CoV-2-exposed group achieved biochemical pregnancy.
  • 46.6% of the unexposed group achieved biochemical pregnancy.

Sources:

  • NewsRx. New Findings from First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University in the Area of COVID-19 Described (Pregnancy and obstetric outcomes of frozen-thawed embryo transfer with embryos generated from COVID-19 infection during controlled ...). OBGYN & Reproduction Week. August 18, 2025; p 110.
  • Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics. Pregnancy and obstetric outcomes of frozen-thawed embryo transfer with embryos generated from COVID-19 infection during controlled ovarian stimulation: a retrospective study. 2025.
  • Springer|plenum Publishers. Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics. 233 Spring St, New York, NY 10013, USA.

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