ART outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Background: To evaluate whether the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had an impact on assisted reproductive technology (ART) outcomes and assess the possible role of geographic differences in the pandemic’s trajectory on these outcomes. Methods: Multi-center retrospective cohort study involving patients who underwent oocyte cryopreservation, in vitro fertilization (IVF), embryo cryopreservation, or frozen euploid embryo transfer in 2019 and 2020 at two academic fertility centers located in regionally distinct areas of the US with high coronavirus infection rates. Patients were screened for infectious symptoms, exposure to sick contacts, and fevers, and tested with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) polymerase chain reaction testing within 5 days of oocyte retrieval. The primary outcomes were the number of oocytes retrieved, embryos fertilized, blastocyst or euploid embryos produced in oocyte retrieval and IVF cycles, and rates of embryo implantation, biochemical pregnancy or no pregnancy following frozen embryo transfer (FET). Results: We found no consistent significant differences in the number of oocytes retrieved, embryos fertilized, blastocysts or euploid embryos produced at either institution over the study period. Furthermore, we did not detect any differences in FET outcomes, including rates of embryo implantation, biochemical pregnancy, or no pregnancy, at either institution during the study time period. Conclusions: There were no significant differences in ART outcomes in patients who received fertility treatment during the pandemic at our centers. Patients and providers can be reassured that with proper testing, sanitizing, and distancing measures, treatments can continue safely during the pandemic without compromising outcomes.

Keywords

• oocyte cryopreservation
• ivf
• embryo transfer
• covid-19
• assisted reproduction