Mild COVID-19 infection does not alter the ovarian reserve in women treated with ART.

RESEARCH QUESTION: Does mild COVID-19 infection affect the ovarian reserve of women undergoing an assisted reproductive technology (ART) protocol? DESIGN: A prospective observational study was conducted between June and December 2020 at the ART unit of Tenon Hospital, Paris. Women managed at the unit for fertility issues by in-vitro fecundation, intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI), fertility preservation, frozen embryo transfer or artificial insemination, and with an anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) test carried out within 12 months preceding ART treatment, were included. All the women underwent a COVID rapid detection test (RDT) and AMH concentrations between those who tested positive (RDT positive) and those who tested negative (RDT negative). RESULTS: The study population consisted of 118 women, 11.9% (14/118) of whom were COVID RDT positive. None of the tested women presented with a history of severe COVID-19 infection. The difference between the initial AMH concentration and AMH concentration tested during ART treatment was not significantly different between the COVID RDT positive group and COVID RDT negative group (-1.33 ng/ml [-0.35 to -1.61) versus -0.59 ng/ml [-0.15 to -1.11], P = 0.22). CONCLUSION: A history of mild COVID-19 infection does not seem to alter the ovarian reserve as evaluated by AMH concentrations. Although these results are reassuring, further studies are necessary to assess the effect of COVID-19 on pregnancy outcomes in women undergoing ART.

Ovotoxicity of smoking and impact on AMH levels: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: Our study aims to analyze the correlation between the decrease of ovarian reserve and lower oocyte quality produced by the follicle associated with use of tobacco. In particular, the study analyzed the potential effects of cigarette smoking on hormonal dosages in infertile patients and patients with recurrent miscarriages. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included 61 women with a history of infertility and recurrent miscarriage between March 2016 and March 2019 selected at the clinic of poly-abortivity and infertility at the ASL Roma 2 - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, "S. Eugenio" Hospital. Patients' medical history (familiar, physiological and pathological with particular attention to smoking habits and nutrition), the obstetric history, gynecological examination and ultrasound were recorded. The serum concentration of FSH, AMH, Inhibin B were examined between the second and third day of the period. RESULTS: A total of 61 patients between 25 and 43 years of age admitted into our clinic were identified; 42 patients with a history of recurrent abortion (more than two abortions) and 19 patients with a history of infertility were selected. A total of 31 non-smokers women (50.82%) (G1) and 30 (49.18%) (G2) smokers were included. No differences were detected between the two groups under examination; the parameter that did appear discordant is the AMH value; this value scored higher in non-smokers than in smokers. Specifically, in smoker patients with recurrent abortions. CONCLUSIONS: The connection between nicotine, combustion material, and oocyte quality is an important and controversial research topic. Further studies are needed to clarify the influence of nicotine and combustion on the ovarian reserve in order to identify the main risk factors.

Low Anti-Mullerian Hormone Levels Are Associated with the Severity of Anxiety Experienced by Healthcare Professionals During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The objective of this study is to investigate a possible correlation between anxiety status and anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) levels among healthcare professionals who provide medical care directly to COVID-19-positive patients during the recent pandemic. Fifty-two healthcare professionals (nurses, midwives, and residents) who provide medical care directly to COVID-19-positive patients in inpatient clinics or intensive care units were enrolled in this study. Serum AMH levels were analyzed to reflect ovarian reserve. The Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-S and STAI-T, respectively) were completed by participants to assess their anxiety status. A linear regression model with participant age as the constant variable was applied to analyze the relationship between inventory scale scores and AMH levels. P-values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. The mean AMH value was significantly lower for the participants in the moderate/severe anxiety group compared to the minimal/mild anxiety group (p = 0.007). A linear regression analysis revealed a significant negative correlation between AMH levels and both BAI (B = -0.030, standard error = 0.010, p = 0.004) and STAI-S and STAI-T scores when age was controlled (both p = 0.003). The severity of anxiety experienced during the recent COVID-19 pandemic among healthcare professionals, who provide medical care directly to COVID-19-positive patients, is found to be related to low AMH levels.