Absence of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) virus within an active IVF laboratory using strict patient screening and safety criteria

Rajput, Sandeep K; Khan, Shaihla A; Goheen, Benjamin B; Engelhorn, Heidi J; Logsdon, Deirdre M; Grimm, Courtney K; Kile, Rebecca A; West, Rachel C; Yuan, Ye; Schoolcraft, William B; McCormick, Sue; Krisher, Rebecca L; Swain, Jason E

Research Question: In the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, IVF clinics stopped the majority of patient treatment cycles to minimize the risk of disease transmission. The risk of SARS-CoV-2 viral exposure and potential cross contamination within the IVF lab remains largely unclear. To that end, the objective of this study was to examine follicular fluid (FF), culture media (M) and vitrification solution (VS) for SARS-CoV-2 in an IVF lab. Design: Prospective clinical study. All females undergoing transvaginal oocyte retrieval (TVOR) were required to have a negative SARS-CoV-2 RNA test 3-4 days prior to the procedure. Male partners were not tested. All cases utilized intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). The first tube of FF aspirated during oocyte retrieval, M drops following removal of embryos on day 5, and VS after blastocyst cryopreservation were analyzed for SARS-CoV-2 RNA. Results: In total, M from 61 patients, VS from 200 patients, and FF from 300 patients were analyzed. All samples were negative for SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA. Conclusion(s): With stringent safety protocols in place, including female patient testing and symptom-based screening of men, the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA was not detected in FF, M or VS. This work demonstrates the possibility of implementing a rapid laboratory screening assay for SARS-CoV-2 and has implications for safe laboratory operations, including cryostorage recommendations.