The studies listed below are peer reviewed papers on the topic of fertility and the impact, in both sexes, of the mRNA vaccines. Please check back from time to time as this list is expanded with the release of new papers.
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Papers are listed by date, the most recent appearing at the top of the page. Click to expand for a full text link, author details, correspondence and abstract. Where a paper is published in multiple journals, the link provided is to a full text version. If we have missed important validated research, please log in and use the comment box below to send us a link. Acceptance of submitted links is at the discretion of the editors.
Please note that on occasion, a retracted study will still be listed. This is an editorial decision, based on the reasons for the papers retraction. Clear attempts to discredit research with a view to censorship does not warrant retraction. These papers are highlighted in red and where possible PDF versions exist on our servers.
Detection of spike protein in term placentas
of COVID-19 vaccinated and/or SARS-CoV-2
infected women
Study Details
| FULL TEXT LINK: Paper (PDF Download) |
| PUBLICATION DATE: March, 2026 |
| PUBLICATION: PLOS |
| AUTHORS |
| Catharina Bartmann, Vanessa Schmidt, Michael Mörz, Michael Schwab, Monika Rehn, Bettina Blau-Schneider, Achim Wöckel, Ulrike Kämmerer |
| CORRESPONDENCE TO |
| [email protected] |
| DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0344185 |
| PMID: 41785286 |
| ABSTRACT |
| Introduction COVID-19 (Corona Virus Induced Disease-19) caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus can be a serious in pregnancy. Therefore, vaccination with modRNA vaccines was recommended depending on the immunity status for women of reproductive age and pregnant women since 2022. However, there are only preliminary data on transplacental transmission of the virus and modRNA from genetic vaccines so far. Methods The study population included 106 women who have given birth at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital of Würzburg during November 2020 to October 2022. In addition to medical data and vaccination history, immunohistochemical examination of the placenta was performed with antibodies against SARSCoV-2 spike and nucleocapsid proteins. RNAscope in situ Hybridization was used to show RNA detection in positive placental tissues as a proof of concept. Results Altogether, 87% of participants received at least one vaccine dose against SARSCoV-2 and 56 women (42 vaccinated, 14 not vaccinated) contracted COVID-19. In total, 31 placentas were found positive for the spike protein. Spike positive cells were predominantly Hofbauer cells and trophoblasts. In three cases of vaccinated and then infected woman, an additional nucleocapsid staining was detected, but there was no significant difference in staining pattern in correlation to the vaccine/COVID19 status. Interestingly, we did not find viral RNA in the investigated samples, but we could show a positive in situ Hybridization of BNT162b2 and S-encoding mRNA-1273 in two individual samples. Discussion The spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 has been be detected in placental Hofbauer and Trophoblast cells as well as villous endothelia after infection and vaccination indicating a possible transplacental transfer or uptake. These findings may suggest a potential for transplacental transfer or cellular uptake; however, the extent, mechanisms, and clinical significance of this phenomenon remain to be fully understood. |
COVID-19 vaccination during or just prior to pregnancy and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy
Study Details
| FULL TEXT LINK: View Paper |
| PUBLICATION DATE: March, 2026 |
| PUBLICATION: Science Direct |
| AUTHORS |
| Andrea J Sharma, Ashley N Smoots, Sabrina A Madni, Lauren Head Zauche, Ansley Waters, Aliza Machefsky, David K Shay, Cameron Hinrichsen, Jenna Chambless, Kendra Norris, Sarah A Thompson, Tara Johnson, Sascha Ellington, Christine K Olson |
| CORRESPONDENCE TO |
| [email protected] |
| DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2026.128268 |
| PMID: 41633278 |
| ABSTRACT |
| Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) are leading causes of maternal and fetal morbidity/mortality. To identify potential safety concerns, we evaluated whether COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy or within 30 days of last menstrual period was associated with self-reported HDP. We also evaluated HDP risk associated with COVID-19 illness during pregnancy. We conducted a matched cohort study using data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s COVID-19 Vaccine Pregnancy Registry (C19VPR; vaccinated) and Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS; unvaccinated). Participants included nulliparous women with singleton pregnancies ending in livebirth (C19VPR, December 2020-March 2022; PRAMS, 2019-2021). Participants were matched by age group, race/ethnicity, and gestational age at delivery. We estimated relative risk (RR) for self-reported HDP by vaccination status using Poisson regression, adjusting for confounders. We tested for effect modification by vaccine manufacturer and vaccination timing (<20 or ≥ 20 weeks’ gestation). Among matched pairs with data on self-reported COVID-19 illness in pregnancy, we estimated risk of HDP by illness status. Of 8030 eligible C19VPR participants, 8024 (99.9%) were matched to a PRAMS participant. Most C19VPR participants delivered in 2021 (98.9%); PRAMS participants delivered predominantly in 2020 (54.5%) and 2019 (17.4%). Adjusted RR for HDP was 1.24 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.08, 1.43) among C19VPR versus PRAMS participants. We observed no effect modification. Results of an analysis restricted to matched pairs who delivered in 2021 (n = 2231) were similar. Among matched pairs (n = 4039) with data on COVID-19 illness in pregnancy, adjusted RR for HDP was 1.28 (95%CI: 1.02, 1.60) for those reporting illness compared with no illness. Risk of HDP was higher among COVID-19 vaccinated compared to unvaccinated women; however, the two groups were sampled from different cohorts. Risk was similar to those who reported COVID-19 illness. Given cohort differences, the associations observed cannot be considered causal; updated assessments of HDP risks after illness and vaccination would be useful. |
Covid-19 vaccination BNT162b2 temporarily impairs semen concentration and total motile count among semen donors
Study Details
| FULL TEXT LINK: View Paper |
| PUBLICATION DATE: June, 2022 |
| PUBLICATION: PubMed, Wiley Online Library |
| AUTHORS |
| Itai Gat, Alon Kedem, Michal Dviri, Ana Umanski, Matan Levi, Ariel Hourvitz, Micha Baum |
| CORRESPONDENCE TO |
| [email protected] |
| DOI: 10.1111/andr.13209 |
| PMID: 35713410 |
| ABSTRACT |
| The development of covid-19 vaccinations represents a notable scientific achievement. Nevertheless, concerns have been raised regarding their possible detrimental impact on male fertility OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of covid-19 BNT162b2 (Pfizer) vaccine on semen parameters among semen donors (SD). |
SARS-CoV-2 infection and subsequent changes in the menstrual cycle among participants in the Arizona CoVHORT study
Study Details
| FULL TEXT LINK: View Paper |
| PUBLICATION DATE: February, 2022 |
| PUBLICATION: AJOG |
| AUTHORS |
| Sana M. Khan, MPH ∙ Alexandra Shilen, MPH ∙ Kelly M. Heslin, MPH ∙ Providence Ishimwe, BA ∙ Alicia M. Allen, PhD, MPH ∙ Elizabeth T. Jacobs, PhD ∙ Leslie V. Farland, ScD |
| CORRESPONDENCE TO |
| [email protected] |
| DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2021.09.016 |
| PMID: 34555320 |
| ABSTRACT |
| The menstrual cycle involves complex interactions between various tissues, hormones, and organ systems. As such, the menstrual cycle is sensitive to endogenous and exogenous factors, including infection and changes in lifestyle. Over a year into the global COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2, there is increasing interest in understanding the post-acute sequalae of SARS-CoV-2 (PASC) following infection.1 Emerging evidence suggests that SARS-CoV-2 infection, COVID-19 vaccination, and/or psychological stress related to the COVID-19 pandemic may influence the menstrual cycle.2,3 However, there is a paucity of scientific research on these topics. Therefore, our objective was to describe SARS-CoV-2 infection and the menstrual cycle changes because of it. |
