SARS-CoV-2 infection negatively affects ovarian function in ART patients

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Biology
• Virology
• Immunology

Background:

• Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) targets multiple organs.
• The impact of SARS-CoV-2 on the female reproductive system, specifically ovarian function, remains largely unexplored.
• Previous research has identified potential SARS-CoV-2 target tissues, excluding the female reproductive tract.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection on ovarian function.
• To analyze follicular fluid (FF) from COVID-19 recovered patients and control groups.
• To evaluate the influence of FF on human endothelial and granulosa cell cultures.

Main Methods:

• Comparison of follicular fluid (FF) from control and recovered COVID-19 patients.
• Detection of SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies in FF.
• Assessment of oocyte retrieval numbers in relation to antibody levels.
• Stimulation of human endothelial and non-luteinized granulosa cell cultures with FF.
• Analysis of gene expression (StAR, ERα, ERβ, VEGF, 3β-HSD) and cell migration.
• Measurement of γH2AX expression as a DNA damage marker.

Main Results:

• 91.3% of post-COVID-19 FF samples tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies.
• Higher IgG levels correlated with lower oocyte retrieval numbers.
• Follicular fluid from post-COVID-19 patients showed decreased VEGF and IL-1β levels, but normal IL-10.
• Exposure to post-COVID-19 FF reduced StAR, ERβ, and VEGF expression in granulosa cells.
• Endothelial cells exposed to post-COVID-19 FF exhibited decreased migration.
• Both cell types showed increased γH2AX expression upon exposure to post-COVID-19 FF, indicating DNA damage.

Conclusions:

• SARS-CoV-2 infection adversely affects the ovarian follicular microenvironment.
• COVID-19 dysregulates ovarian function, potentially impacting fertility.
• The study provides the first evidence of SARS-CoV-2's negative effects on ovarian function through follicular fluid analysis.