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Updated: Oct 28, 2026
Induction of Maternal Immune Activation in Mice at Mid-gestation Stage with Viral Mimic Poly(I:C)
Published on: March 25, 2016
Inactivated SARS-CoV-2 Exposure Induces Inflammation and Impairs Reproductive Outcomes in Mice
Patrícia Ribeiro de Carvalho França1, João Pedro Barros de Paiva1, Amanda Gabriel Valente1
1Laboratório de Farmacologia da Dor e da Inflamação, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil.
Abstract:
COVID-19 has been associated with reproductive dysfunction, although the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we investigated the effects of inactivated SARS-CoV-2 (iSARS-CoV-2) exposure on reproductive outcomes in K18-hACE2 mice. Pregnant females exposed during early gestation showed reduced fetal number, increased resorptions and decreased placental efficiency. These alterations were associated with pulmonary inflammation, characterized by elevated TNF-α, IL-6 and IFN-γ levels and histopathological damage. In males, exposure impaired the sperm count, motility and reproductive performance, and negatively affected pregnancy outcomes in untreated females. Notably, inflammatory responses occurred in the absence of viral replication, indicating that viral components can trigger systemic effects. Together, these findings demonstrate that inactivated SARS-CoV-2 induces inflammation that compromises fertility and gestational success in both sexes.
