ABSTRACT
Concern about fertility impairment after vaccination is one of the reasons for vaccine hesitancy in the population. This retrospective observational study aims to understand the impact of CovishieldTM (ChAdOx1 nCoV- 19 Corona Virus Vaccine, Recombinant) COVID-19 vaccination on ejaculate quality in fifty-three patients undergoing semen analysis between 2018 to 2021. A baseline semen profile was recorded from the subjects during their visit before the vaccination for fertility work-up. Follow-up ejaculates were provided approximately 82 (Q1:37, Q3:124) days after the second dose of vaccination. Semen characteristics such as volume, sperm concentration, sperm motility, and morphological abnormalities were recorded. Of the 53 subjects, 33 (62%) had semen characteristics above the WHO reference. In general, no significant variations in the semen parameters were observed except for a moderate decline in sperm morphology (p< 0.05). The baseline semen characteristics in 20 (38%) subjects were below the WHO reference range; however, no significant decline in the ejaculate quality was observed in their follow-up samples. Further, none of the ejaculates in both study groups were azoospermic during the follow-up evaluation. Our results affirm that CovishieldTM vaccine is not detrimental to male fertility.
ABSTRACT
Reopening fertility care services across the world in the midst of a pandemic brings with it numerous concerns that need immediate addressing, such as the impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) on the male and female reproductive cells and the plausible risk of cross-contamination and transmission. Due to the novelty of the disease the literature contains few reports confirming an association of SARS-CoV-2 with reproductive tissues, gametes and embryos. Cryobanking, an essential service in fertility preservation, carries the risk of cross-contamination through cryogenic medium and thus calls for risk-mitigation strategies. This review aims to address the available literature on the presence of SARS-CoV-2 on tissues, gametes and embryos, with special reference to the possible sources of cross-contamination through liquid nitrogen. Strategies for risk mitigation have been extrapolated from reports dealing with other viruses to the current global crisis, for safety in fertility treatment services in general, and specifically for oncofertility.