The effects of inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccination and subsequent infection of pregnant mice on the behaviors of offspring.

ABSTRACT

The mass inoculation of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccines to induce herd immunity is one of the most effective measures we can deploy in the fight against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Pregnant women are prone to a higher risk of COVID-19, and maternal infection is a risk factor for a range of neurological disorders leading to abnormal behavior in adulthood. However, there are limited clinical data to support whether vaccination or infection post-immunization in pregnant women can affect the behavioral cognition of fetuses in adulthood. In this study, human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 pregnant mice (F0 generation) were immunized with CoronaVac and then infected with SARS-CoV-2. Subsequently, we analyzed the behavioral cognition of their adult offspring (F1 generation) using the open-field test and Morris water maze test. The adult F1 generation did not exhibit any impairments in spontaneous locomotor activity or spatial reference memory.