Testicular versus ejaculated spermatozoa in ICSI cycles of normozoospermic men with high sperm DNA fragmentation and previous ART failures

As a part of male assessment, conventional sperm parameters including morphologic features have been dedicated as major factors influencing fertilisation and pregnancy rates in assisted reproductive technology (ART). Genomic integrity of spermatozoa has also been found to influence fertility prognosis, and hence, sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) has been adopted by many centres to document this entity. Despite several suggested approaches, there is lack of universal consensus on optimising fertility outcomes in males with high sperm DFI. In this context, the results from cycles using testicular spermatozoa (TESA) obtained by aspiration were compared with those of ejaculated spermatozoa (EJ) in normozoospermic subjects with high sperm DFI and previous ART failures. Clinical (41.9% versus 20%) and ongoing pregnancy rates (38.7% versus 15%) were significantly better and miscarriages were lower in TESA group when compared to EJ group. Sperm DFI should be a part of male partner's evaluation following unsuccessful ART attempts. When high DFI is detected (>30%), ICSI using testicular spermatozoa obtained by TESA seems an effective option particularly for those with repeated ART failures in terms of clinical, ongoing pregnancies and miscarriages even though conventional sperm parameters are within normal range.     

Predictors of pregnancy outcome for infertile couples attending IVF and ICSI programmes

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the predictors of pregnancy outcome for infertile couples attending in vitro fertilisation (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) programmes. Infertile couples attending IVF or ICSI procedures were included in this study. Related data including semen parameters and male and female age and body mass index were collected and analysed. The main outcome was clinical pregnancy, defined as an ultrasound detection of foetal heartbeat 6 weeks after embryo transfer. A total of 1316 couples who underwent IVF and 266 who underwent ICSI were recruited for this study. A multivariate logistic regression with likelihood ratio test revealed the following predictors of pregnancy outcome: female age and sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) and acrosomal activity in IVF procedures (chi‐square of likelihood ratio = 26.42, d.f. = 3, P < 0.005) and female age and DFI in ICSI procedures (chi‐square of likelihood ratio = 18.88, d.f. = 2, P < 0.005). In conclusion, our study indicated that sperm DFI, female age and acrosomal levels have a significant effect on ART pregnancy outcome.     

ICSI outcome in patients with high DNA fragmentation: Testicular versus ejaculated spermatozoa

Sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) has emerged as an important biomarker in the assessment of male fertility potential with contradictory results regarding its effect on ICSI. The aim of this study was to evaluate intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) outcomes in male patients with high SDF using testicular versus ejaculated spermatozoa. This is a prospective study on 36 men with high‐SDF levels who had a previous ICSI cycle from their ejaculates. A subsequent ICSI cycle was performed using spermatozoa retrieved through testicular sperm aspiration. Results of the prior ejaculate ICSI were compared with those of the TESA‐ICSI. The mean (SD) SDF level was 56.36% (15.3%). Overall, there was no difference in the fertilization rate and embryo grading using ejaculate and testicular spermatozoa (46.4% vs. 47.8%, 50.2% vs. 53.4% respectively). However, clinical pregnancy was significantly higher in TESA group compared to ejaculated group (38.89% [14 of 36] vs. 13.8% [five of 36]). Moreover, 17 live births were documented in TESA group, and only three live births were documented in ejaculate group (p < .0001). We concluded that the use of testicular spermatozoa for ICSI significantly increases clinical pregnancy rate as well as live‐birth rate in patients with high SDF.     

Comparison of intracytoplasmic sperm injection outcomes between spermatozoa retrieved from testicular biopsy and from ejaculation in cryptozoospermic men

The infrequent presence of spermatozoa in cryptozoospermic men ejaculate is a limiting factor in the treatment of them. Sometimes, this consideration impels us to apply meticulous microscopic search in ejaculate or testicular sperm extraction (TESE) method. The aim of this study was to assess putative effectiveness of sperm origin, ejaculated or testicular, in cryptozoospermia treatment. In this context, were evaluated intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) outcomes in two parameters including fertilisation rate (2PN) and embryo quality, independently. We compared the outcome in two groups: patients who underwent ejaculate/ICSI and ones who underwent TESE/ICSI process. Nineteen ICSI cycles performed with testicular spermatozoa and the rest of cycles (n = 208) carried out with ejaculated spermatozoa. Result analysis showed similar fertilisation rate between testicular and ejaculated spermatozoa (respectively, 60% versus 68%, P ≥ 0.05). Also, on the other hand, embryo quality did not show significant differences between two groups, except grade A with low significance. With regard to almost equal performance of both methods in results and being invasive of TESE as surgical sperm retrieval method, the use of ejaculated sperm more than testicular sperm should be recommended in patients with cryptozoospermia whenever possible.     

Effects of obesity on sperm retrieval,early embryo quality and clinical outcomes in men with nonobstructive azoospermia undergoing testicular sperm aspiration‐intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles

The objective of this study was to assess the effects of body mass index (BMI) on sperm retrieval, early embryo quality and clinical outcomes in patients with nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA) undergoing testicular sperm aspiration‐intracytoplasmic sperm injection (TESA‐ICSI). A total of 3,005 infertile couples were evaluated between January 2010 and June 2017, including 1585 normal‐weight (BMI < 25 kg/m²), 847 overweight (BMI 25–29.99 kg/m²) and 573 obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m²) patients. We found no significant relationship between BMI and sperm retrieval rate (22.4%, 24.3% and 25.1%, p = 0.327) or sperm motility. Among the 705 patients with NOA who underwent TESA‐ICSI cycles, obese individuals had lower T levels and higher E2 levels than normal‐weight and overweight individuals. However, there were no significant differences in other male hormones (follicle stimulating hormone [FSH], luteinizing hormone [LH], or prolactin [PRL]) among the groups. We also found that the sperm parameters, embryo quality and clinical outcomes of patients with NOA undergoing TESA‐ICSI were not influenced by high BMI levels. In conclusion, this study demonstrated a lack of obvious effects of obesity on sperm retrieval, early embryo quality and clinical outcomes in infertile men undergoing TESA‐ICSI cycles, although T and E2 levels were affected.     

Comparison of conventional in vitro fertilisation and intracytoplasmic sperm injection outcomes in patients with moderate oligoasthenozoospermia

The method of choice for assisted reproductive technology treatment in vitro fertilisation (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is usually based on the evaluation of male infertility factors. Decisions for couples with moderate oligoasthenozoospermia (OA) are often empirical because uniform treatment criteria are lacking. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of patients with moderate OA treated with conventional IVF and ICSI. A total of 199 couples with moderate OA undergoing their first IVF/ICSI cycle were included in the study. The patients were divided into two groups according to the type of insemination: conventional IVF group (n = 97) and ICSI group (n = 102). All patients were randomised to be inseminated either by conventional IVF or ICSI. The fertilisation rate, embryo quality, implantation rate and clinical pregnancy rate were examined. No differences in the fertilisation, implantation and pregnancy rates were observed between conventional IVF and ICSI groups (P > 0.05). However, the number of good‐quality embryos was significantly higher in the ICSI group than in the IVF group (P < 0.05). Couples with moderate OA did not influence on the overall clinical outcomes between IVF and ICSI treatments, and a negative influence by ICSI on blastocyst development was not confirmed.     

Parameters predicting sperm retrieval rates during microscopic testicular sperm extraction in nonobstructive azoospermia

The aim of this study was to investigate the predictive value of the parameters that might have an effect on the success of microscopic testicular sperm extraction (micro‐TESE) in infertile patients with nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA). Between 2003 and 2014, 860 patients with NOA were retrospectively analysed. The effect of age, infertility duration, history of varicocelectomy, herniorrhaphy or orchiopexy, presence of solitary testis, tobacco use, previous testicular biopsy results, history of orchitis, usage of human chorionic gonadotropin in the past three months, presence of undescended or retractile testis, presence of varicocele, testicular volume, levels of serum follicle‐stimulating hormone, luteinising hormone, and testosterone, presence of Klinefelter syndrome and micro‐deletion of Y chromosome on sperm retrieval rates were evaluated. In 45.8% (n = 394) of the patients who underwent micro‐TESE, spermatozoon was adequately obtained. Multiple logistic regression analysis demonstrated that previous successful testicular biopsy (OR = 15.346; GA = 5.45–43.16; p < .001) and higher testicular volumes significantly increase sperm retrieval rate in micro‐TESE. The testicular volume cut‐off as 11 ml was found to be the most significant factor. Although currently testicular biopsy result is not being used as a diagnostic method, it is significantly associated with micro‐TESE result.     

Proper ubiquitination effect on the fertilisation outcome post‐ICSI

Ubiquitin is an 8.5‐kDa protein that tags outlived proteins for degradation by the proteasome. It also marks defective spermatozoa during epididymal passage and has been proposed as a biomarker of sperm quality. This study evaluates the relationship between sperm ubiquitination, protamine deficiency, semen parameters and fertilisation rate in infertile individuals undergoing the intracytoplasmic sperm insemination (ICSI) procedure. Semen samples from 73 ICSI candidates were collected and analysed according to World Health Organization criteria. A portion of each sample was evaluated for sperm ubiquitination using the sperm ubiquitin tag immunoassay (SUTI) with flow cytometry, and protamine deficiency by chromomycin A3 (CMA3) staining. In addition, the relationship between the fertilisation rate and sperm ubiquitination was calculated in ICSI candidates. The intensity of ubiquitination showed a significant negative correlation with sperm concentration (r = ?0.255, P = 0.032) and a positive correlation with fertilisation rate (r = 0.384, P = 0.013) post‐ICSI. No correlation was observed between protamine deficiency and the percentage of ubiquitination or ubiquitination intensity. The results of this study suggest that sperm ubiquitination prior to capacitation may be considered as a marker of defective spermatozoon. Spermatozoa that undergo proper ubiquitination may have a higher chance for fertilisation, because they are made redundant by the ubiquitin–proteasome pathway in the epididymis compared to hypo‐ubiquitinated spermatozoa.     

Microdissection testicular sperm extraction and IVF-ICSI outcome in nonobstructive azoospermia

We evaluated the efficiency of microdissection testicular sperm extraction (MicroTESE) in patients with nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA) and their pregnancy outcomes in a programme based on in vitro fertilisation (IVF)/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Fifty-six MicroTESE procedures were performed in 53 patients with NOA. Pre-operative levels of luteinising hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), testosterone and prolactin were obtained and a Doppler sonography examination was conducted. Sperm retrieval rate, mean age of female partner, mean ICSI and fertilisation rate, number and quality of embryos transferred, implantation, pregnancy and miscarriage rates were calculated. Samples for testicular histological analysis were taken trans-operatively in every case. Sperm retrieval rate, mean ICSI per case and fertilisation rate were 57.1%, 7.4% and 58.4% respectively. A significant difference in pre-operative testicular volume ( P  = 0.001), serum FSH ( P  = 0.008) and total testosterone levels ( P  = 0.021) was found in patients from whom sperm could be retrieved. Mean 1.9 type A embryos were transferred per cycle. Implantation, clinical pregnancy and miscarriage rates were 20%, 40% and 18.7% respectively. It is concluded that MicroTESE is a viable option for men with NOA, offering excellent results in couples undergoing IVF-ICSI. Pre-operative serum FSH, testicular volume and total testosterone levels may have a prognostic value, although more data are needed to determine their significance and whether or not patients should be excluded from an initial sperm retrieval attempt.     

梗阻性无精子症患者睾丸抽吸精子行ICSI后的胚胎结局

目的总结非手术精子抽吸(NSA)联合ICSI对梗阻性无精子症患者的治疗意义,并探讨精子来源等对ICSI后胚胎结局的影响。方法回顾性分析642个ICSI周期,比较了睾丸抽吸精子和精液精子行ICSI后的受精率、优质胚胎率、临床妊娠率、种植率及胚胎停育率等。结果NSA睾丸精子组和精液精子组相比较,其2PN受精率、优质胚胎率、临床妊娠率、种植率及胚胎停育率之间均没有显著性差异(71．4％vs 73．2％, 73．1％vs 70．1％,34．2％vs 32．6％,22．3％vs 19．8％,21．3％vs 25．0％,P>0．05)。结论非手术抽吸睾丸精子联合ICSI是治疗梗阻性无精子症的一种有效方法。     

Relationship between donor sperm parameters and pregnancy outcome after intrauterine insemination: analysis of 2821 cycles in 1355 couples

The aim of this study was to investigate whether sperm parameters can affect the pregnancy outcome of artificial intrauterine insemination with cryopreserved donor spermatozoon (AID). A total of 1355 couples received 2821 AID treatment cycles in the Reproductive Medicine Center of the Tongji Medical College between January 2010 and December 2013, and the data were collected and retrospectively analysed. The relationship between pre‐freezing, post‐thawing as well as optimised sperm parameters and AID pregnancy outcome was investigated. Clinical pregnancy rate and cumulated pregnancy rate were also calculated. A total of 728 cycles from 2821 treatment cycles achieved pregnancies, and cumulated pregnancy rate was 25.81%. Pre‐freezing progressive sperm motility in pregnant cycles was higher than that in nonpregnant cycles (P = 0.001); logistic regression analysis also indicated that pre‐freezing progressive sperm motility was the only parameter affecting pregnancy outcome (P = 0.0001). Our study also showed that the cumulated pregnancy rate increased progressively and reached a plateau after the fifth cycle. In conclusion, pre‐freezing progressive sperm motility should be a valuable predictor for AID pregnancy outcome. Female fertility factors should be considered, or IVF/ICSI should be recommended when couples received more than 5 AID cycles without pregnancy.     

Association between total globozoospermia and sperm chromatin defects

Globozoospermia is a severe sperm morphological anomaly leading to primary infertility and low fertilisation following intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). This phenotype is observed in less than 0.1% of infertile men and is determined by small, round‐headed spermatozoa with absence of an acrosomal cap, acrosome protease and also cytoskeletal proteins. Failure of oocyte activation is considered as the main cause of fertilisation failure in these individuals post‐ICSI. Therefore, artificial oocyte activation (AOA) along with ICSI is commonly implemented. However, based on previous report, fertilisation rate remains low despite implementation of ICSI‐AOA. Therefore, other mechanisms like sperm chromatin packaging and DNA fragmentation may account for low fertilisation and development post‐ICSI‐AOA. Therefore, this study aims to assess and compare the degree of sperm protamine deficiency and DNA fragmentation in large population of infertile men with total globozoospermia (30 globozoospermic men presenting with 100% round‐headed spermatozoa) with 22 fertile individuals using chromomycin A3 and TUNEL assay respectively. Results clearly show that mean of sperm concentration and percentage of sperm motility were significantly lower, while percentage of sperm abnormal morphology, protamine‐deficient and DNA‐fragmented spermatozoa were significantly higher in infertile men with globozoospermia compared to fertile men. Therefore, increased sperm DNA damage in globozoospermia is likely related to defective DNA compaction and antioxidant therapy before ICSI‐AOA could be recommended as an appropriate option before ICSI‐AOA.     

精子DNA碎片指数和精子畸形率对ICSI临床结局的影响

目的:通过评估ICSI治疗前的精子畸形率(SMR)和精子DNA碎片指数(DFI),探讨精子DFI和SMR对卵胞浆内单精子注射(ICSI)助孕结局的影响。方法:共入组79对因少弱精子症实施第一周期ICSI治疗的不孕夫妇,在进入治疗周期前3⁶个月,评价精子浓度、前向运动精子百分率、SMR及DFI。主要观察SMR和DFI与ICSI结局参数的关系。结果:79例少弱精子症患者DFI正常51例,异常28例,异常组的DFI值明显升高(14.18%vs 41.47%);巧合的是,SMR正常组同样为51例,异常组28例,异常组的SMR值亦明显升高(87.88%vs98.46%)。按DFI正常(DFI≤25%)与异常(DFI>25%)分组,或按SMR正常(≤96%)与异常(>96%)分组,组间的双方年龄、女方BMI、获卵数、移植胚胎数等基本情况差异无统计学意义。DFI正常和异常组间,SMR正常和异常组间的受精卵子数、可移植胚胎数、早期流产率无显著差异;异常组生化妊娠率(43.5%vs 61.5%)和临床妊娠率(39.1%vs 56.4%)降低,但差异无统计学意义(P=0.19及0.10)。精子DFI与SMR呈显著正相关(r=0.231,P<0.05)。结论:精子DFI增高(>25%),与按严格标准检测的SMR增高(>96%)男性行ICSI治疗,生化妊娠率和临床妊娠率降低,但与正常者比较未发现有统计学差异,可能与样本量小有关,有必要深入研究。     

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection by testicular sperm in patients with aspermia or azoospermia after cancer treatment

The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the efficiency of testicular biopsy and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in patients with aspermia or non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) after cancer treatment. From 1996 to 2003, 30 men with a history of cancer, affected by aspermia or NOA and without sperm cryopreserved before cytotoxic treatment underwent testicular sperm extraction (TESE). In these men, clinical, hormonal and histological characteristics were compared; 13 underwent 39 TESE-ICSI cycles using frozen-thawed testicular spermatozoa (TESE-ICSI group). In the same period, 31 ICSI cycles were performed in 20 men with aspermia or NOA using ejaculated sperm frozen before cancer treatment (ejaculated sperm-ICSI group). Fertilization, blastocyst development, pregnancy and miscarriage rates were compared between the groups. Testicular volume, serum follicle-stimulating hormone level and Johnsen score indicated complete although reduced spermatogenesis in men with aspermia and abnormal spermatogenesis in men with NOA. After TESE, sperm retrieval was positive in 92% of men with aspermia and 58% of men with NOA. In TESE-ICSI patients with NOA a significantly lower proportion of embryos developed to the blastocyst stage than in patients with aspermia and in those after ICSI with frozen-thawed ejaculated sperm (23% vs. 43% and 47%, p = 0.03 and p < 0.01 respectively). In all groups the miscarriage rates were high; in patients with aspermia and NOA, characterized by increased age, the miscarriage rate tended to be higher in spite of similar female age and female indications of infertility. In patients affected by aspermia or NOA after cancer treatment and without sperm cryopreserved before treatment, TESE-ICSI using testicular sperm provide a chance to father a child.     

Chromosomal and Y‐chromosome microdeletion analysis in 1,300 infertile males and the fertility outcome of patients with AZFc microdeletions

The present study investigated the frequency of chromosome aberrations and AZF microdeletions in infertile patients with nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA) or severe oligozoospermia. Additionally, the effect of the AZFc microdeletions on the success of microdissection testicular sperm extraction (microTESE) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) methods were evaluated. Peripheral blood samples were received from 1,300 infertile men with NOA and severe oligozoospermia. Karyotyping and FISH analysis were performed according to standard methods. AZF microdeletions were analysed using multiplex polymerase chain reaction or GML Y‐chromosome Microdeletion Detection System consisting of 14 markers. The chromosomal aberrations and the AZF microdeletions frequency among 1,300 infertile men were 10.6% and 4.0% respectively. Either ejaculated spermatozoa or microTESE was performed on only in 19 out of 26 patients with AZFc deletions. Of the 19 patients, four had severe oligozoospermia and 15 had NOA. In eight out of 15 NOA patients, testicular mature spermatozoa were obtained (53.3%) and then ICSI was applied to mature oocytes. After undergoing ICSI treatment, clinical pregnancy and live birth outcome rates were found to be 37.5% and 25% respectively. These results suggest that infertile patients with AZFc microdeletion could achieve successful fertilisation pregnancies with the help of assisted reproductive technology.     

Apoptotic sperm biomarkers and the correlation between conventional sperm parameters and clinical characteristics

The principal aim of this retrospective study was to examine the relationship between sperm apoptotic biomarkers and the patient's biclinical characteristics, the conventional sperm parameters and the results of assisted reproductive technology. Sperm analysis, activated caspases, annexin V staining for phosphatidylserine (PS) externalisation and labelling assay for DNA fragmentation were assessed in 122 males of infertile couples. Fifty‐seven couples were allocated to the natural conception group, and 65 couples underwent IVF or ICSI. Semen of IVF/ICSI patients showed a higher proportion of apoptotic spermatozoa in their spermatozoa when compared with a natural conception group (p < .05). Sperm apoptotic biomarkers correlated with age, FSH, and conventional sperm parameters. DNA fragmentation correlated positively with the percentage of semen having externalised PS (r = .78, p = 0) and activated caspases (r = .71, p = 0). Patients without clinical pregnancy had higher frequency of DNA fragmentation, externalised PS and activated caspases compared to patients with clinical pregnancy (p < .001). The best specificity and greater sensitivity were obtained with the test of the DNA fragmentation compared to the other biomarkers. Among the apoptotic biomarkers, only DNA fragmentation was found to predict natural or assisted pregnancy better than conventional sperm parameters.     

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection outcomes with cryopreserved testicular sperm aspiration samples

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) may be performed with testicular frozen–thawed spermatozoa in patients with nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA). Sperm retrieval can be performed in advance of oocyte aspiration, as it may avoid the possibility of no recovery of spermatozoa on the day of oocyte pickup. There are few studies available in the literature concerning the use of frozen–thawed spermatozoa obtained from testicular sperm aspiration (TESA). To evaluate the effects and the outcomes of ICSI with frozen–thawed spermatozoa obtained by TESA, we performed a retrospective analysis of 43 ICSI cycles using frozen–thawed TESA. We obtained acceptable results with a fertilisation rate of 67.9%, an implantation rate (IR) of 17.1%, and clinical and ongoing pregnancy rates of 41.9% and 37.2% respectively. The results of this study suggest that performing ICSI using cryopreserved frozen–thawed testicular spermatozoa with TESA as a first option is a viable, safe, economic and effective method for patients with NOA.     

Paternal age as an independent factor does not affect embryo quality and pregnancy outcomes of testicular sperm extraction‐intracytoplasmic sperm injection in azoospermia

This study was performed to evaluate the independent influence of paternal age affecting embryo development and pregnancy using testicular sperm extraction (TESE)‐intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in obstructive azoospermia (OA) and nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA). Paternal patients were divided into the following groups: ≤30 years, 31–35 years, 36–40 years, 41–45 years and ≥46 years. There were no differences in the rates of fertilisation or embryo quality according to paternal and maternal age. However, clinical pregnancy and implantation rates were significantly lower between those ≥46 years of paternal age compared with other age groups. Fertilisation rate was higher in the OA than the NOA, while embryo quality, pregnancy and delivery results were similar. Clinical pregnancy and implantation rates were significantly lower for patients ≥46 years of paternal age compared with younger age groups. In conclusion, fertilisation using TESE in azoospermia was not affected by the independent influence of paternal age; however, as maternal age increased concomitantly with paternal age, rates of pregnancy and delivery differed between those with paternal age <41 years and ≥46 years. Therefore, paternal age ≥46 years old should be considered when applying TESE‐ICSI in cases of azoospermia, and patients should be advised of the associated low pregnancy rates.     

Influence of motility and vitality in intracytoplasmic sperm injection with ejaculated and testicular sperm

The vitality of spermatozoa used for intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is a crucial factor for fertilization, establishment and outcome of a pregnancy in assisted reproductive technique cycles. The sperm origin may also be a limiting factor, although little is known about this issue. It is known that the motility of injected spermatozoa and their origin from ejaculate or testicular biopsies are important predictors in terms of fertilization, pregnancy and birth rates. Oocytes of patients in 2593 cycles were retrieved in our in vitro fertilization programme and inseminated via ICSI. We used motile (group 1, n = 2317) or immotile ejaculated spermatozoa (group 2, n = 79), motile sperm retrieved from testicular biopsies (group 3, n = 62) and immotile spermatozoa from testicular biopsies (group 4, n = 135). Female age and number of oocytes retrieved did not differ significantly among the groups. The fertilization rates were as follows: 67.1% in group 1, 49.8% in group 2, 68.3% in group 3 and 47.8% in group 4. The pregnancy rates in cases where three embryos had been transferred amounted to 35.7% in group 1, 17.3% in group 2, 38.3% in group 3 and 20.5% in group 4. The embryo quality showed no differences between groups 1 and 3 (14.5), and between groups 2 (11.8) and 4 (10.8). The abortion rate was similar in groups 1-3, but increased in group 4 (26.6%, 27.3%, 31.6% and 55.5%). Irrespective of their origin, the fertilization potential of injected spermatozoa was found to be influenced by motility. The resulting pregnancy and birth rates, i.e. the potential of the resulting embryos to implant and to achieve viable pregnancies, seem to be additionally dependent on the sperm origin. This was well shown by declining rates when spermatozoa in a relatively early stage of maturity had been used. We see increasing evidence that the degree of sperm maturity has an important impact on the outcome of ICSI. In obstructive azoospermia, spermatozoa retrieved from the epididymis should be used rather than testicular biopsy spermatozoa, or testicular sperm should be preincubated in culture medium before ICSI.     

The effect of sperm DNA fragmentation on intracytoplasmic sperm injection outcome

Our study objective was to assess the effect of various sperm DNA fragmentation levels on clinical intracytoplasmic sperm injection outcome. This retrospective study included 392 patients who underwent ICSI and performed sperm DNA fragmentation testing before the procedure. Based on sperm DNA fragmentation cut-off values, the patients were differentiated into 3 groups as <20%, 20%–30% and >30%. According to the female status, patients were differentiated into favourable group (n = 259) with female age <35 years and anti-Mullerian hormone level ≥7.1 pmol/L; and unfavourable group (n = 133) with female age ≥35 years and anti-Mullerian hormone level ≤7.1 pmol/L. The patient's medical records were reviewed, and patient's demographic, laboratory data including semen analysis, sperm DNA fragmentation determined by means of sperm chromatin dispersion, hormonal profile and data regarding intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycle were collected. This cohort reported that the clinical reproductive outcomes of intracytoplasmic sperm injection showed no statistical significance with increase sperm DNA fragmentation levels. In sperm DNA fragmentation above 30%, favourable females had significantly higher clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate than unfavourable females, while fertilisation rate and miscarriage rate showed no significance between the subgroups. High sperm DNA fragmentation is linked to poor semen parameters.