Changes in ambient environmental conditions correspond to variations in in vitro fertilization outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic - Summary - MDSpire

Changes in ambient environmental conditions correspond to variations in in vitro fertilization outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic

  • By

  • Heeyon Kim

  • Hyun Jun Kim

  • Soyeong Park

  • Yun Soo Chung

  • Jin Kyung Baek

  • Yebon Kim

  • Jeongmi Yoon

  • Chungsoon Ryu

  • Bo Hyon Yun

  • Young Sik Choi

  • Daewoo Pak

  • Seok Kyo Seo

  • Yohan Ko

  • June 9, 2026

  • 0 min

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Objective:

To examine whether IVF-related mature oocyte, fertilization, and pregnancy rates differ across the periods before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic, and to evaluate the modifying effects of ambient environmental exposures.

Key Findings:
  • Mature oocyte rate was significantly lower during (β = −0.32, 95% CI −0.45 to −0.19, p < 0.001) and post-COVID (β = −0.45, 95% CI −0.59 to −0.31, p < 0.001) compared to pre-COVID.
  • Fertilization rate was higher in the post-COVID group (β = 0.22, 95% CI 0.02 to 0.42, p = 0.030) compared to pre-COVID, but not during COVID (p = 0.637).
  • Pregnancy rate did not differ significantly across the three periods (Wald χ² = 2.12, p = 0.346).
  • Long-term environmental exposures showed significant interactions with COVID-19 on mature oocyte rate (O3: LRT p = 0.002; CO: LRT p = 0.008; NO2: LRT p = 0.009).
  • Nominal significance was observed for several environmental interactions affecting clinical pregnancy.
Interpretation:

Limitations:
  • Study conducted at a single center, which may limit generalizability.
  • Retrospective design may introduce biases.
Conclusion:

Original Source(s)

Changes in ambient environmental conditions correspond to variations in in vitro fertilization outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic

  • by Heeyon Kim, Hyun Jun Kim, Soyeong Park, Yun Soo Chung, Jin Kyung Baek, Yebon Kim, Jeongmi Yoon, Chungsoon Ryu, Bo Hyon Yun, Young Sik Choi, Daewoo Pak, Seok Kyo Seo, Yohan Ko

  • June 9, 2026

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