Vaccination against COVID-19 in pregnancy is safe and effective (Literature review)

This review provides current information on safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines for pregnant and lactating patients. Various vaccine types, information regarding reproductive toxicology studies and vaccines efficacy against variants of concern are described in the article. The review also reflects practice guidelines of international professional communities on the use of COVID-19 vaccines in pregnancy, including the World Health Organization, RCOG (Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists), ACOG (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists), RANZCOG (Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists), etc. Currently, there is no evidence of a negative impact of COVID-19 vaccines on male and women’s reproductive health. On the other hand, the negative consequences of COVID-19 infection are well known both on the reproductive health of men and on the course and outcomes of pregnancy. Results of analysis of data on the course of pregnancy, childbirth, the postpartum period and the condition of newborns in 891 patients with coronavirus infection and in 1694 patients without coronavirus infection of the obstetric department of the Filatov City Clinical Hospital No. 15 for the period from January 1, 2020 to April 25, 2021. It was revealed that patients with coronavirus infection have a higher risk of preterm birth, a higher probability of having premature babies, and a higher percentage of operative delivery, than in patients without coronavirus infection. Newborn children in patients with coronavirus infection were more often admitted to the intensive care unit, than children of patients without coronavirus infection. Patients with coronavirus infection have a higher perinatal mortality rate than patients without coronavirus infection. No data has been received to support vertical transmission of the virus from a mother infected with COVID-19 to her fetus. There were no specific changes in placental tissue in patients with coronavirus infection. Based on the available results of clinical studies on the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines, all mentioned professional communities (WHO, CDC, ACOG, RCOG, RANZCOG, etc.) strongly recommend getting COVID-19 vaccine for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. © 2021, Media Sphera Publishing Group. All rights reserved.

COVID-19 vaccine does not affect male reproductive health (Based on RNA sequencing data)

Objective. To evaluate the effect of COVID-19 vaccine on molecular features of semen samples based on the gene expression analysis. Materials and methods. 10 men of reproductive age with no history of laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 were inlcuded in this study. Six men were planning to get vector-based COVID-19 vaccine «Gam-COVID-Vac» («Sputnik-V») of the National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology named after N.F. Gamaleya, four men were included in the control group. Gene expression level in semen samples of men who received COVID-19 vaccine was analyzed using RNA-sequencing (semen samples were collected prior to the vaccination and 75 days after the administration of the second dose of the «Gam-COVID-Vac» vaccine). The semen samples, collected of men of the control group at the same time interval, were also analyzed using RNA-sequencing. Results. Comparative analysis of the gene expression level in the semen samples collected prior to and after getting COVID-19 vaccine did not reveal statistically significant changes in the intracellular molecular pathways functioning. Conclusion. Study results indicate the absence of an adverse effects of the «Gam-COVID-Vac» («Sputnik-V») vaccine on molecular features of semen samples. © 2021, Media Sphera Publishing Group. All rights reserved.

Impact of covid-19 and other viral infections of male fertility (Literature review)

An infectious factor is the cause of male infertility in 15% of cases. Male infertility can be associated with several viral infections, including human papillomavirus (HPV), herpes simplex viruses (HSV) and human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV), mumps virus and SARS-CoV virus. The emergence of a new infection, COVID-19, contributes to a thorough study of the possible consequences of this disease on male fertility. This literature review provides up-to-date information on the impact of COVID-19 and other viral infections on male reproductive health. © 2020, Media Sphera Publishing Group. All rights reserved.

Covid-19 and men’s reproductive health (Literature review)

According to the world statistics, men are much more susceptible to infection with the new coronavirus than women. Nowadays, investigation of potential impact of COVID-19 on men’s reproductive health is a particularly relevant topic. Previous research has shown that more than 25 viruses, including herpes simplex virus and human immunodeficiency virus, can infect human sperm. It is currently not fully understood whether the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 has a negative impact on sperm quality and whether the virus is sexually trans-mitted. Published data indicate decreased sperm quality and possible development of orchitis in patients with COVID-19. Moreover, severe stress and corticosteroid therapy may be risk factors for patients’ sexual dysfunction. Thus, further studies are needed to determine the effects of COVID-19 on men’s reproductive health, which will help to optimize the management and rehabilitation of these patients. © 2020, Media Sphera Publishing Group. All rights reserved.