Status of DOHaD research in COVID-19 disaster and need for academic support

Abstract

Introduction: Pandemic of the novel coronavirus disease-19, COVID-19, has been affecting not only peoples’ daily life, but also research activities. Contrarily, it is an urgent task to investigate the impact of COVID-19 itself and the pandemic situation on the further generations, and DOHaD-Japan should take priority on leading this research field. The aim of this study was to uncover how DOHaD research had been affected by COVID-19, and how it should face this pandemic. Methods: A real-time questionnaire, using the Zoom Polling option, was performed during the 31st DOHaD-Japan young investigator seminar (Terakoya). Results: Number of valid responses was 48(67%), comprising 72 participants. Among those, 46(96%) experienced some kind of restrictions on research activities due to the COVID-19 pandemic, 18(37%) were involved in COVID-19 related researches, and 40(80%) answered that the DOHaD-Japan should lead/support COVID-19 related research. Conclusion: We revealed how DOHaD research was affected, what it is facing, and where it should lead, under this pandemic. Most DOHaD researchers experienced research activity restrictions, however, some of those were already conducting COVID-19 related research in this field. Majority of the Japanese DOHaD researchers are wishing the society to lead/support COVID-19 related researches, thus further action is greatly anticipated.