News | Study Finds No Significant Effect of COVID-19 Vaccination on Ovarian Reserve
A study published in JAMA Network Open found no significant association between COVID-19 vaccination and changes in ovarian reserve. Researchers compared ovarian reserve before and after vaccination using antral follicle count and anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels to assess possible long-term effects on female fertility.
Background and Objective
The possible effect of COVID-19 vaccines on ovarian reserve has been an important public health concern. The American Society for Reproductive Medicine recommends assessing ovarian reserve with both ultrasound antral follicle count (AFC) and AMH levels. Previous research found no significant change in AMH after COVID-19 vaccination.
The study examined whether vaccination affects ovarian reserve, particularly among women receiving fertility care. It accounted for changes in AMH testing methods and sought cross-validation using other biomarkers.
Methods
This retrospective cohort study included female patients seen at the Texas Children's Family Fertility Center in Houston, Texas, from January 2016 to December 2021. It followed STROBE reporting guidelines.
Ovarian reserve was assessed using ultrasound AFC and AMH levels. Researchers used heteroscedastic linear regression and analyzed variables including age, body mass index (BMI), AMH assay type, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and vaccination status.
Results
The study evaluated 1655 patients; 974 met criteria for AMH analysis and 1222 for AFC analysis. The AMH analysis included 836 patients before vaccination and 138 after vaccination. The prevaccination group was generally younger and had lower AMH levels, while HbA1c and BMI did not differ significantly. Participants received an average of 2.19 vaccine doses, and AMH was assessed 4 to 356 days after vaccination.
Results differed by AMH assay. The current AMH assay was used for 259 patients before vaccination and 137 afterward. Age and assay platform were associated with AMH values, but vaccination status was not. Among approximately 70 patients measured both before and after vaccination, AMH did not change significantly.
Median AFC was 18 before vaccination and 20 afterward. Total AFC was linearly associated with age and BMI but not vaccination status. In an adjusted postvaccination subgroup analysis accounting for age, HbA1c, and BMI, vaccination status was positively associated with higher AMH.
Conclusion
Overall, COVID-19 vaccination was not associated with changes in ovarian reserve measured by either AMH or AFC. Subgroup analyses showed no clinically significant change in AMH before versus after vaccination.
The authors noted that although the findings do not indicate a direct effect of vaccination on ovarian reserve, further research is needed to explore possible links between vaccination and reproductive health.
News | Study Finds No Significant Effect of COVID-19 Vaccination on Ovarian Reserve
News | Study Finds No Significant Effect of COVID-19 Vaccination on Ovarian Reserve
A study published in JAMA Network Open found no significant association between COVID-19 vaccination and changes in ovarian reserve. Researchers compared ovarian reserve before and after vaccination using antral follicle count and anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels to assess possible long-term effects on female fertility.
Background and Objective
The possible effect of COVID-19 vaccines on ovarian reserve has been an important public health concern. The American Society for Reproductive Medicine recommends assessing ovarian reserve with both ultrasound antral follicle count (AFC) and AMH levels. Previous research found no significant change in AMH after COVID-19 vaccination.
The study examined whether vaccination affects ovarian reserve, particularly among women receiving fertility care. It accounted for changes in AMH testing methods and sought cross-validation using other biomarkers.
Methods
This retrospective cohort study included female patients seen at the Texas Children's Family Fertility Center in Houston, Texas, from January 2016 to December 2021. It followed STROBE reporting guidelines.
Ovarian reserve was assessed using ultrasound AFC and AMH levels. Researchers used heteroscedastic linear regression and analyzed variables including age, body mass index (BMI), AMH assay type, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and vaccination status.
Results
The study evaluated 1655 patients; 974 met criteria for AMH analysis and 1222 for AFC analysis. The AMH analysis included 836 patients before vaccination and 138 after vaccination. The prevaccination group was generally younger and had lower AMH levels, while HbA1c and BMI did not differ significantly. Participants received an average of 2.19 vaccine doses, and AMH was assessed 4 to 356 days after vaccination.
Results differed by AMH assay. The current AMH assay was used for 259 patients before vaccination and 137 afterward. Age and assay platform were associated with AMH values, but vaccination status was not. Among approximately 70 patients measured both before and after vaccination, AMH did not change significantly.
Median AFC was 18 before vaccination and 20 afterward. Total AFC was linearly associated with age and BMI but not vaccination status. In an adjusted postvaccination subgroup analysis accounting for age, HbA1c, and BMI, vaccination status was positively associated with higher AMH.
Conclusion
Overall, COVID-19 vaccination was not associated with changes in ovarian reserve measured by either AMH or AFC. Subgroup analyses showed no clinically significant change in AMH before versus after vaccination.
The authors noted that although the findings do not indicate a direct effect of vaccination on ovarian reserve, further research is needed to explore possible links between vaccination and reproductive health.
Source:
Collected online