The impact of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine on intracytoplasmic sperm injection outcomes at a fertility center in Iraq: A prospective cohort study

Background and aims: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a major public health problem that requires preventative vaccines. However, there is vaccine hesitancy among women of reproductive age in Iraq. This study aimed to investigate SARS-CoV-2 vaccination effects on intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and related fertility parameters.

Methods: The study population comprised 54 infertile patients undergoing the ICSI procedure at a fertility clinic: vaccinated (n = 17) and non-vaccinated (n = 37). SARS-CoV-2-IgG/mL was assayed in follicular fluid from patients. Fertility parameters were assessed using oocyte and embryo quality and pregnancy outcomes between study groups, with respect to the time interval from vaccination to ova pick up.

Results: There were no significant differences between non-vaccinated and vaccinated groups in respect of oocytes quality with regard to the mean number of picked up oocytes (p = 0.564), abnormal oocyte (p = 0.827), oocytes metaphase I and II (p = 0.306; p = 0.165), germinal vesicles (p = 0.076), grade I, II, and III fertilized oocytes (p > 0.05), and for maturation rate (p = 0.13). There were also no significant differences (p > 0.05) in embryo quality parameters with the mean number of grade I, II, and III fertilized oocytes and the fertilization rate, the number of transferred embryo (0.086). There were no significant differences between vaccinated and unvaccinated groups with respect to follicular fluid SARS-CoV-2-IgG (p = 0.854), and pregnancy outcomes (p = 0.550).

Conclusions: The COVID-19 mRNA vaccine has no effect on ICSI, fertility parameters, and pregnancy outcome.