Background As the COVID-19 pandemic persists and new vaccines are developed, concerns among the general public are growing that both infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus and vaccinations against the coronavirus (mRNA vaccines) could lead to infertility or higher miscarriage rates. These fears are voiced particularly often by young adults of reproductive age. This review summarizes the current data on the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection and corona vaccinations on female and male fertility, based on both animal models and human data. Method A systematic literature search (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science) was carried out using the search terms “COVID 19, SARS-CoV-2, fertility, semen, sperm, oocyte, male fertility, female fertility, infertility”. After the search, original articles published between October 2019 and October 2021 were selected and reviewed. Results Despite the use of very high vaccine doses in animal models, no negative impacts on fertility, the course of pregnancy, or fetal development were detected. In humans, no SARS-CoV-2 RNA was found in the oocytes/follicular fluid of infected women; similarly, no differences with regard to pregnancy rates or percentages of healthy children were found between persons who had recovered from the disease, vaccinated persons, and controls. Vaccination also had no impact on live-birth rates after assisted reproductive treatment. No viral RNA was detected in the semen of the majority of infected or still infectious men; however, a significant deterioration of semen parameters was found during semen analysis, especially after severe viral disease. None of the studies found that corona vaccines had any impact on male fertility. Discussion Neither the animal models nor the human data presented in recent studies provide any indications that fertility decreases after being vaccinated against coronavirus. However, there is a growing body of evidence that severe SARS-CoV-2 infection has a negative impact on male fertility and there is clear evidence of an increased risk of complications among pregnant women with SARS-CoV-2 infection. The counseling offered to young adults should therefore take their fears and concerns seriously as well as providing a structured discussion of the current data.

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ZusammenfassungEine Schwangerschaft kann intrauterin, ektop oder an einem unklaren Ort liegen und entwicklungsphysiologisch vital oder gestört sein. Die transvaginale Sonographie ermöglicht die Darstellung einer intrauterinen Schwangerschaft ab einem Schwellenwert des humanen Choriongonadotropins (hCG) von 1000 IU/l in der etwa sechsten Schwangerschaftswoche (SSW). Ektope Schwangerschaften sind abhängig von der SSW gegebenenfalls erschwert sonographisch erkennbar. Der Verlauf des hCG-Werts kann hilfreich dabei sein, eine physiologische von einer gestörten Frühschwangerschaft zu unterscheiden, muss aber immer in Zusammenschau mit der Klinik und dem Ultraschallbefund interpretiert werden. Bei einem frühen Abort kann abhängig von der Klinik exspektativ oder medikamentös vorgegangen werden. Die Indikation zur Kürettage sollte insgesamt zurückhaltend gestellt werden. Bei einer ektopen Schwangerschaft sollte abhängig von SSW und Klinik eine operative Therapie oder eine Methotrexattherapie durchgeführt werden.

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