Investigate the effect of COVID‐19 inactivated vaccine on sperm parameters and embryo quality in in vitro fertilization

Abstract

Since the reproductive toxicity of COVID‐19 vaccines have not been assessed in previous clinical trials, and studies have shown that SARS‐CoV‐2 is associated with a decrease in sperm parameters. Although it has been reported that the mRNA SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccines do not adversely affect semen parameters, whether this conclusion applies to inactivated vaccines remains unclear. Here, we conducted a study among patients who accepted in vitro fertilization (IVF) at the reproductive centre between June and August of 2021. In the enrolled cases, men who have completed two doses of COVID‐19 inactivated vaccine were included in “vaccine group” (N = 105), and those who were not vaccinated were included in “control group” (N = 155). In this study, we compare the sperm parameters and embryo quality between these two groups. Our data showed that the sperm parameters were similar in terms of volume, sperm concentration, sperm count, progressive motility, total motility and total motile sperm count between these two groups. Similarly, no significant differences were observed in IVF outcomes. The mean number of 2PN, cleavage‐stage embryos, blastocysts, and good‐quality blastocysts was 8.59 ± 4.47, 5.06 ± 3.17 and 2.08 ± 1.79 in vaccine group, 7.75 ± 4.14, 4.34 ± 3.06 and 1.74 ± 1.54 in control group, respectively. The high‐quality blastocyst rate was 41.05% (218 of 531) in vaccine group and 40.03% (269 of 672) in control group (p > 0.05). In addition, no differences were observed in biochemical and clinical pregnancy rates between the two groups. In summary, our results revealed that COVID‐19 inactivated vaccine administration exhibited no negative effect on sperm parameters and embryo quality in IVF.

Effects of inactivated SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccination on male fertility: A retrospective cohort study

“…Thus, it is necessary to evaluate any effect of inactivated SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccination on male fertility. During our long study period (almost 16 months), several studies exploring the effects of inactivated SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccination on semen parameters have been published 30,31 . Compared to them, our study expanded the sample size and collection time, and included booster dose and sex hormone levels for the first time.…”

The impact of COVID-19 vaccines on fertility-A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…[12] , [21] , [22] , [23] , [24] , [25] , [26] , [27] , [28] , [29] , [30] , [31] , [32] , [33] , [34] , [35] , [36] , [37] , [38] , [39] , [40] , [41] , [42] , [43] , [44] , [45] , [46] , [47] .…”

Endocrine system after 2 years of COVID-19 vaccines: A narrative review of the literature

“…In detail, five studies retrospectively analyzed the potential impact of COVID-19 vaccine (both mRNA, inactivated and viral vector ones) on sperm parameters, three of them in men undergoing fertility treatments ( 94 , 96 , 100 ) and two in healthy semen donors ( 99 , 101 ). Overall, sperm parameters showed no significant changes after vaccination, except a slight decrease in sperm volume observed by Safrai et al.…”