Impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on Chinese assisted reproductive technology institutions and human sperm banks: reflections in the post-pandemic era

OBJECTIVE: The COVID-19 pandemic has been the most serious public health emergency encountered in modern assisted reproductive technology (ART) development. In order to identify lessons learned, this study reviews the effect of the pandemic on ART institutions and human sperm banks in China, and summarizes the experiences and reflections of Chinese scholars post-pandemic era. METHODS: This review is based on multiple consensus statements on the COVID-19 pandemic issued by Chinese experts as well as current national regulations and principles in ART institutions and human sperm banks to document the current situation of ART services in China, describe the impact of the pandemic on these services, and offer Chinese reflections on worrying issues in the post-pandemic era. RESULTS: China reached one million ART cycles in 2016, and there are currently 540 ART medical institutions and 27 human sperm banks, with 540 licensed for AIH, 91 for AID, 415 for conventional IVF and ICSI and 85 for PGT. Of these, only 4 institutions carry out 10,000 cycles or more annually, and the proportion of institutions with less than 1,000 cycles has reached 66%, which means that a considerable number of ART institutions are still not saturated. As a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic, 63.6% of ART providers and 95.5% of human sperm banks suspended operations. By the end of May 2020, China, as an early country affected by the pandemic achieved a national resumption rate of ART medical services of 99.2% and that of human sperm banks of 100.0%. Reports from the first and largest human sperm bank in China showed that qualification, semen concentration and sperm viability rates measured at primary screening have significantly decreased post-pandemic. Much like in other countries, Chinese experts developed a consensus on prevention and control measures during the pandemic. In principle, all ART activities should be suspended during acute phases of infection spread. Chinese scholars highlight that attention should be paid to young patients with fertility requirements during and after COVID-19, and emphasize the importance of fertility evaluation and clinical intervention. In addition, couples should be reminded that during ART treatment, disinfectants should not be used excessively to minimize risks of damaging the reproductive system, gametes and zygotes. At the same time, timely and reasonable guidance for tackling negative emotions from stress response is needed to provide reassurance and to avoid irrational fear and excessive stress. Seminal parameters should be re-examined 2 months after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, and ART treatments recommenced if no abnormalities are detected. CONCLUSIONS: Given the growing frequency of outbreaks of global infectious diseases in recent years, ART institutions and human sperm banks should pay attention to improving their prevention and control capabilities. To a certain extent, decisions and measures adopted in China during COVID-19 pandemic are worthy of recognition and acceptance. Chinese scholars have discussed, proactively responded to and understand the key issues surrounding ART development during the pandemic with the aim of contributing to the substantial progress and healthy development of ART services in the world.