Background & objectives: This article examines whether women are less prone than men to Covid-19 infections and their complications. Data sources: We reviewed available databases and searched systematically for publications. To be taken into account, data had to be broken down by gender. There was no study evaluation nor quantification synthesis, due to the large heterogeneity of the studies. Nineteen databases were selected. 73 publications were considered and 33 were selected, to which 12 more were added. Results: Globally, the proportion of men and women who tested positive is comparable. However, men are about 60 % more likely to be severely ill or to die from the complications of Covid-19 than are women. Limitations: The study was hampered by a large heterogeneity in testing and reporting of the data. Conclusions: Although in the pandemic men die more frequently than women from Covid-19, it is not clear whether this is due to biological differences between men and women, differences in behavioral habits, or differences in the rates of co-morbidities. Implications of key findings: Countries and studies should report their data by age, gender and co-morbidities. This may have implications in terms of vaccination strategies, the choice of treatments and future consequences for long-term health issues concerning gender equality.

The aim of this study was to determine whether the presence of a hydrosalpinx influences in-vitro fertilization (IVF) prognosis. Comparisons were made between 69 IVF cycles in 37 patients carrying hydrosalpinges (hydrosalpinx group) and 67 IVF cycles in 41 patients without tubes or surgically sterilized (control group). Twenty-two patients carrying hydrosalpinges underwent salpingectomy or salpingoplasty (operated group); they then underwent 42 IVF trials which were compared with the two former groups. In the hydrosalpinx group, pregnancy rates by oocyte retrieval were 10.1% for clinical and ongoing pregnancies. In the control group, the corresponding pregnancy rates were 23.0 and 21.3% respectively. The implantation rate per embryo was 4.2% for clinical and ongoing pregnancies in the hydrosalpinx group and 11.0 and 10.4% respectively in the control group. The operated group had pregnancy rates of 38.1% for clinical pregnancies and 31.0% for ongoing pregnancies, with implantation rates of 17.4 (clinical) and 14.8% (ongoing) respectively. Pregnancy and implantation rates were statistically lower in the hydrosalpinx group as compared with controls and with the operated group. The differences between control and operated groups were not significant. In conclusion, the presence of a hydrosalpinx is thus associated with poor prognosis in IVF treatment. Surgical correction of such lesions appears to restore high success rates.

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