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Background As the COVID-19 pandemic persists and new vaccines are developed, concerns among the general public are growing that both infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus and vaccinations against the coronavirus (mRNA vaccines) could lead to infertility or higher miscarriage rates. These fears are voiced particularly often by young adults of reproductive age. This review summarizes the current data on the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection and corona vaccinations on female and male fertility, based on both animal models and human data. Method A systematic literature search (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science) was carried out using the search terms “COVID 19, SARS-CoV-2, fertility, semen, sperm, oocyte, male fertility, female fertility, infertility”. After the search, original articles published between October 2019 and October 2021 were selected and reviewed. Results Despite the use of very high vaccine doses in animal models, no negative impacts on fertility, the course of pregnancy, or fetal development were detected. In humans, no SARS-CoV-2 RNA was found in the oocytes/follicular fluid of infected women; similarly, no differences with regard to pregnancy rates or percentages of healthy children were found between persons who had recovered from the disease, vaccinated persons, and controls. Vaccination also had no impact on live-birth rates after assisted reproductive treatment. No viral RNA was detected in the semen of the majority of infected or still infectious men; however, a significant deterioration of semen parameters was found during semen analysis, especially after severe viral disease. None of the studies found that corona vaccines had any impact on male fertility. Discussion Neither the animal models nor the human data presented in recent studies provide any indications that fertility decreases after being vaccinated against coronavirus. However, there is a growing body of evidence that severe SARS-CoV-2 infection has a negative impact on male fertility and there is clear evidence of an increased risk of complications among pregnant women with SARS-CoV-2 infection. The counseling offered to young adults should therefore take their fears and concerns seriously as well as providing a structured discussion of the current data.

For surgical catheterization training applications, realistic and effective materials are desired. In this study, the relevance of a needle puncture angle and a simulated wall stress on different elastic materials were determined in a previously developed experimental setup. Both settings were considered individually in two new setups. In addition, a control setup with neither angle nor prestress was designed. During the process of puncturing the samples of two materials (Replisil 9N and Formlabs Elastic 50A), force–displacement values were collected, and three predefined parameters evaluated. The differences between the angled/stressed groups and the control group were analyzed. The additively processed material required a significantly higher force to puncture than the conventional one (p < 0.001). Moreover, a needle angulation of 45° required more force than puncturing orthogonally. Prestressing the samples did not clearly influence the resulting force. An evaluation of relative parameters showed that the investigated materials behaved differently but not linearly differently under the influence of needle angle and prestress. Therefore, it is essential to evaluate the properties and suitability of materials for surgical training models in appropriate experimental setups considering multiple parameters.

For surgical catheterization training applications, realistic and effective materials are desired. In this study, the relevance of a needle puncture angle and a simulated wall stress on different elastic materials were determined in a previously developed experimental setup. Both settings were considered individually in two new setups. In addition, a control setup with neither angle nor prestress was designed. During the process of puncturing the samples of two materials (Replisil 9N and Formlabs Elastic 50A), force-displacement values were collected, and three predefined parameters evaluated. The differences between the angled/stressed groups and the control group were analyzed. The additively processed material required a significantly higher force to puncture than the conventional one (

Aim Patients with cardiogenic shock or ARDS, for example, in COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2, may require extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). An ECLS/ECMO model simulating challenging vascular anatomy is desirable for cannula insertion training purposes. We assessed the ability of various 3D-printable materials to mimic the penetration properties of human tissue by using porcine aortae. Methods: A test bench for needle penetration and piercing in sampled porcine aorta and preselected 3D-printable polymers was assembled. The 3D-printable materials had Shore A hardness of 10, 20, and 50. 17G Vygon 1.0 × 1.4 mm × 70 mm needles were used for penetration tests. Results: For the porcine tissue and Shore A 10, Shore A 20, and Shore A 50 polymers, penetration forces of 0.9036 N, 0.9725 N, 1.0386 N, and 1.254 N were needed, respectively. For piercing through the porcine tissue and Shore A 10, Shore A 20, and Shore A 50 polymers, forces of 0.8399 N, 1.244 N, 1.475 N, and 1.482 N were needed, respectively. ANOVA showed different variances among the groups, and pairwise two-tailed t-tests showed significantly different needle penetration and piercing forces, except for penetration of Shore A 10 and 20 polymers (p = 0.234 and p = 0.0857). Significantly higher forces were required for all other materials. Conclusion: Shore A 10 and 20 polymers have similar needle penetration properties compared to the porcine tissue. Significantly more force is needed to pierce through the material fully. The most similar tested material to porcine aorta for needle penetration and piercing in ECMO-implantation is the silicon Shore A 10 polymer. This silicon could be a 3D-printable material in surgical training for ECMO-implantation.