Comparison of embryo quality between intracytoplasmic sperm injection and in vitro fertilization in sibling oocytes

Background The aim of the present study was to compare the quality of embryos derived from sibling oocytes by in vitro fertilization (IVF) or ICSI. Methods Consecutive patients with a less than 40% fertilization rate in a previous standard IVF cycle or with relative male factor infertility were recruited for the study. The oocytes retrieved from each patient were divided into two groups for either conventional insemination (group A) or ICSI (group B). Power analysis showed that to detect a 25% difference in the rate of high-quality embryos between the groups with a power of 0.8, at least 1,200 oocytes were needed in each group. Results One hundred seventy-seven patients were included in the study. Group A was comprised of 1,526 oocytes and group B of 1,480 sibling oocytes. As expected, the fertilization rate was significantly higher in group B than group A (67.1 vs. 43.6%, p < 0.001). No significant between-group differences were observed in cleavage rate (92.7 and 89.7%, respectively) and the rate of either grade A embryos (22.6 and 23.9%, respectively) or grade A₁ embryos (37.3 and 33.5%, respectively). However, in the subgroup of patients with relative male-factor infertility (n = 36), the rate of grade A₁ embryos was significantly higher in the IVF than the ICSI group (46.4 vs. 29.0%, respectively, p = 0.02). Conclusions Embryo quality does not seem to be influenced by the mode of fertilization (IVF or ICSI). We assume that embryo quality depends on intrinsic factors of the gametes involved rather than on the fertilization process per se. Capsule Embryo quality does not seem to be influenced by the mode of fertilization but depends on intrinsic factors of the gametes involved.     

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection overcomes previous fertilization failure with conventional in vitro fertilization

Objective: To evaluate the outcome of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in patients with previous idiopathic fertilization failure (≤20% fertilization rate) after conventional IVF.

Design: Retrospective analysis.

Setting: IVF program at a university medical center.

Patient(s): Twenty-five patients who underwent 38 ICSI cycles after experiencing unexplained fertilization failure with conventional IVF (group A) and 87 patients who underwent 118 ICSI cycles for male factor indications during the same period (group B).

Intervention(s): Intracytoplasmic sperm injection was performed in a subsequent cycle after fertilization failure with conventional IVF.

Main Outcome Measure(s): Outcomes of IVF were compared between groups A and B.

Result(s): Fertilization was achieved with ICSI in all patients with previous fertilization failure. The mean (±SD) fertilization rate (68% ± 21% vs. 64% ± 22%), implantation rate per embryo (22.6% vs. 20%), and delivery rate per cycle (47.3% vs. 49.1%) did not differ significantly between groups A and B. Overall, 72% of patients with previous unexplained fertilization failure had a successful pregnancy after ICSI.

Conclusion(s): Intracytoplasmic sperm injection can overcome unexplained fertilization failure caused by a potentially occult gamete abnormality, with the same fertilization, implantation, and pregnancy rates as are seen in patients with abnormal sperm parameters.     

常规体外受精与卵胞浆单精子注射技术妊娠及分娩结果比较

目的通过比较接受常规体外受精技术(IVF)及卵胞浆单精子注射技术(ICSI)治疗后妊娠的病例,分析临床资料、妊娠及产科结局,从而评估其安全性。方法对中山大学附属第一医院1998年1月至1999年12月接受体外受精-胚胎移植治疗后妊娠的533例临床资料进行回顾性分析。结果ICSI组受精率明显高于IVF组,IVF和ICSI两组早期胚胎发育情况、产科结局、围生情况及出生后婴儿的健康情况差异无显著性意义。结论与常规IVF相比,ICSI并不增加胎儿畸形率及新生儿并发症,但仍需要长期的大量的随访以排除可能的危险性。     

Male partner screening before in vitro fertilization: preselecting patients who require intracytoplasmic sperm injection with the sperm penetration assay

Objectives: To determine the diagnostic accuracy of the sperm penetration assay (SPA) and standard semen parameters for subsequent fertilization in in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET).

Design: Prospective study.

Setting: Andrology Laboratory, and university research laboratory.

Patients: Two hundred sixteen couples undergoing male-partner screening before IVF-ET (265 cycles).

Intervention(s): Male-partner screening (semen analyses [SA] and SPA), standard IVF-ET procedures, follow-up of fertilization in IVF-ET.

Main Outcome Measure(s): Diagnostic accuracy of SA and SPA for prediction of fertilization in IVF-ET.

Result(s): The SPA predicted IVF fertilization with high negative (84%) and positive (98%) predictive rates, and correct prediction in 88% of cycles. In contrast, sperm concentration, motility, morphology, and complete SA showed poor diagnostic accuracy, with correct prediction of IVF fertilization in 64%, 65%, 45%, and 68% of cycles, respectively.

Conclusion(s): Very low sperm concentration and/or motility were good predictors of poor IVF fertilization, however, low to normal semen parameters were not predictive of successful IVF fertilization. The SPA is a useful screening tool that predicts IVF fertilization with high diagnostic accuracy. The SPA may be useful to discriminate between those couples with a high probability of normal fertilization in IVF and those with a low probability of normal fertilization that may benefit from assisted fertilization by intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).     

Comparison of clinical outcomes between conventional in vitro fertilization and intracytoplasmic sperm injection in poor responders with only single oocyte retrieved

ObjectiveTo compare the clinical outcomes between conventional insemination (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in poor responders with only a single oocyte retrieved.Materials and methodsThis is a retrospective case–control study. Couples who were treated with assisted reproductive technology (ART) with a single oocyte retrieved in Mackay Memorial Hospital from 1996 to 2016 were recruited. All data were categorized into three groups, according to their fertilization method and semen quality: group A, conventional insemination with non-male factor (IVF-NMF, n = 115), group B, ICSI with male factor (ICSI-MF, n = 30), and group C, ICSI with non-male factor (ICSI-NMF, n = 49).ResultsNo statistically significant difference was observed between IVF and ICSI groups in pregnancy outcomes, including the chemical or clinical pregnancy rate, miscarriage rate, and live birth rate. Similar fertilization rates per oocyte obtained were observed in IVF and ICSI patients, but significantly lower per mature oocyte in the ICSI group (IVF: 91.5%, ICSI-MF: 75.0%, ICSI-NMF: 77.8%). Although there is no statistical significance, the lower live birth rate is observed in group C than others (A:11.5%, B:25%, C:5%, p = 0.187).ConclusionIn this study, pregnancy outcomes of conventional in vitro fertilization and ICSI in poor responders with only a single oocyte retrieved were similar. However, the fertilization rate of matured oocytes in ICSI groups is significantly lower than that in the IVF group, indicating that ICSI procedures might cause oocyte damage. Therefore, the choice of fertilization method should be based on semen quality. A randomized controlled trial should be performed to confirm our findings.     

早期补救卵胞浆内单精子显微注射在完全受精失败周期的临床结局分析

目的:评估短时受精联合早期补救卵胞浆内单精子显微注射(R-ICSI)在完全受精失败周期的临床价值。方法:2009年1月～2010年6月我中心试管婴儿助孕治疗709例,其中短时受精完全失败行早期R-ICSI周期82例,卵胞浆内单精子显微注射(IC-SI)周期627例,比较两组正常受精率、异常受精率、优质胚胎率、胚胎种植率、临床妊娠率及流产率。结果:两组正常受精率、优质胚胎率、胚胎种植率、临床妊娠率及流产率无统计学差异,R-ICSI组异常受精率(5.0%)显著高于ICSI组(3.0%)(P<0.05)。结论:短时受精联合早期R-ICSI可及早发现受精失败并及时补救,获得较好的临床结局。     

Effect of incremental time experience on the results of in vitro fertilization with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)

Purpose: Our objective was to determine the effect of experience on the results with intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Methods: The quarterly outcome with both ICSI and traditionalin vitro fertilization (IVF) in 1994 was analyzed in 475 patients under age 40 undergoing 595 oocyte retrievals. The data represent 307 patients undergoing 379 retrievals for IVF and 165 patients undergoing 216 retrievals for ICSI. Results: Fertilization rates with ICSI improved significantly each quarter (52.96, 62.17, 70.17, and 74.87% in Q-I, Q-II, Q-III, and Q-IV, respectively), while the rate with IVF improved significantly between Q-I (69.9%) and Q-II (80.10%) and slightly but significantly between Q-II and Q-IV (82.88%). The implantation rate per embryo after ICSI improved significantly after Q-I (6.17%) compared to Q-II (10.70%) and Q-IV (12.14%). The pregnancy rate per transfer with ICSI increased steadily after Q-I (13.79, 21.88, 23.53, and 25.00% in Q-I through Q-IV), reaching statistical significance between Q-I and Q-III and between Q-I and Q-IV. Conclusions: Although acceptable results can be obtained with ICSI after a relatively short period of time, optimum results require substantial experience.     

Rate of aneuploidy in miscarriages following in vitro fertilization and intracytoplasmic sperm injection

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the incidence of aneuploidy in miscarriages after IVF and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) procedures. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: University IVF program. PATIENT(S): All IVF patients with missed abortions undergoing uterine curettage. INTERVENTION(S): Cytogenetic analysis of products of conception (POC). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Incidence of aneuploidy in POC. RESULT(S): Thirty-two of 59 specimens (54%) reviewed were abnormal. The patients with ICSI were more likely to have aneuploidy identified in their POC than conventional IVF, 76% vs. 41%. The average ages in these groups were similar: 37.1 vs. 37.8 years. There was a trend toward decreased aneuploidy with day 5 compared to day 3 embryo transfers; 38% vs. 63%. CONCLUSION(S): We found a significantly higher aneuploidy rate in the abortuses of patients who conceived with ICSI. It is possible that this increased incidence is due to abnormalities in the sperm of patients with ICSI, but could also be partially related to the technique itself.     

Comparison of cryopreservation outcome following intracytoplasmic sperm injection and conventional in vitro fertilization

Purpose Our purpose was to compare the success rate of transferring frozen-thawed embryos generated from either intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) or conventional in vitro fertilization (IVF). Methods A retrospective review of all frozen—thawed embryo transfer (ET) cycles between January 1995 and April 1997 was performed. There were 83 and 204 transfer cycles of frozen — thawed multicellular embryos generated from conventional IVF (group A) and ICSI (group B), respectively. The survival rate of frozen — thawed embryos and the outcome following ET in both groups were assessed. Results The groups did not differ in age (31.7±4.6 and 30.6±6.0; mean±SD) or number of embryos transferred (3.5±1.1 and 3.8±1.3 for groups A and B, respectively). An acceptable pregnancy rate per ET was achieved in both groups, but the rate was significantly higher (P = 0.04) for group A than group B, 32.5 and 20%, respectively. Group A included frozen embryos of a higher quality than those of group B, but the proportion of embryos surviving after thawing was significantly higher for group B than group A (92.5 and 85.6%, respectively; P = 0.0004). The abortion rate did not differ between the two groups: 22 and 26.8% for groups A and B, respectively. Conclusions Although an overall high pregnancy rate was achieved following frozen-thawed ET, it was lower for cycles in which embryos had been generated from ICSI. This difference may be attributed to a lower prefreezing embryo quality in the ICSI group. Embryos originating from ICSI were not vulnerable to cryopreservation and, when implanted, resulted in a comparable abortion rate to thawed embryos of conventional IVF.     

不同精子来源及授精方式对剩余胚胎继续囊胚培养结局的影响

目的:探讨不同精子来源及不同授精方式对胚胎继续发育能力的影响。方法:分析499例患者499个取卵周期剩余胚胎继续培养形成囊胚的情况,按精子来源不同分为供精IVF(D-IVF)组和夫精IVF(H-IVF)组,按授精方式不同分为IVF组和ICSI组,ICSI组按精子来源分为新鲜精液组、附睾精子和睾丸精子组,比较不同精子来源及授精方式获得剩余胚胎的囊胚形成率、胚胎利用率和无囊胚移植率。结果:① D-IVF组和H-IVF组受精率、卵裂率、优质胚胎率、第3日和第5日胚胎种植率、临床妊娠率和流产率均无统计学差异(P0.05),组间剩余胚胎囊胚形成率、胚胎利用率和无囊胚移植率亦无统计学差异(P0.05);②ICSI组与IVF组比较,其受精率较高(P0.05),但优质胚胎率显著下降,有统计学差异(55.11%vs 61.30%,P0.05),组间第3日卵裂期胚胎和剩余胚胎囊胚种植率、临床妊娠率无统计学差异(P0.05),但ICSI组与IVF组比较,其剩余胚胎囊胚形成率、胚胎利用率稍低,无囊胚移植率较IVF组稍高,差异有统计学意义(56.13%vs 65.32%,48.18%vs 55.39%,21.68%vs 13.20%,P0.05)。③新鲜精液组的优质胚胎率、胚胎利用率显著低于附睾精子和睾丸精子组(P0.05),各组囊胚移植的种植率和临床妊娠率无统计学差异(P0.05)。结论:D-IVF可获得H-IVF相似的结局,其剩余胚胎都有较高的发育潜能,ICSI获得的剩余胚胎发育潜能低于IVF组。附睾精子和睾丸精子ICSI后获得的胚胎比新鲜精液精子ICSI后胚胎发育潜能高。针对不同的授精方式可能需要制定相应的剩余胚胎囊胚培养标准。     

Cryopreserved sibling oocytes and intracytoplasmic sperm injection rescue unexpectedly poor fertilization in conventional in vitro fertilization

PURPOSE: To report a successful pregnancy from cryopreserved sibling oocytes and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) for an infertile couple with an unexpectedly low fertilization rate in the fresh in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle. METHODS: The woman had bilateral tubal obstruction and polycystic ovarian syndrome. The man had normal semen parameters. The couple underwent a cycle of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation in that 20 oocytes were retrieved. Twelve oocytes were conventionally inseminated and eight were cryopreserved using a slow freezing method. However, only one oocyte was fertilized, and no pregnancy was achieved. In the next cycle, the frozen oocytes were thawed and ICSI was performed. RESULTS: After thawing, seven oocytes (88%) survived and one was damaged. Six were at the metaphase II stage and were injected. Five (83%) achieved normal fertilization, and all of them cleaved (100%). After replacement of the embryos, a singleton pregnancy developed. A healthy female baby was delivered at term. Karyotyping revealed 46, XX. CONCLUSIONS: In addition to well-known indications, cryopreservation of excess sibling oocytes for patients receiving IVF has a possible advantage of preventing unexpectedly low fertilization rate or fertilization failures.     

Transport intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI): A cost-effective alternative

Purpose: Transport in vitro fertilization (IVF) programs are operational in a lot of countries and especially popular in The Netherlands, where IVF activities are strictly regulated. Since the introduction of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in the IVF laboratory, many laboratories are now setting up this new technique, which necessitates major investments in terms of infrastructure and specialized personnel. Methods: We present a cost effective alternative, consisting of patient selection, preparation, and oocyte retrieval at one center and transport of oocytes to a second center, where the ICSI procedure and embryo transfer are performed. Since early 1994 several Dutch centers have a transport ICSI program running with the Gent University Infertility Center, and we wish to present the results of our cooperation with two major centers, comparing them to our local results, for the first 10 months of 1994. Patient selection was similar at all three centers: only couples with previously failed in vitro fertilization or having been refused for routine IVF were enrolled in the program. Stimulation schemes and follow-up of the stimulation were different at all three centers. Transport of oocytes was carried out in a transport box or by attaching the closed tubes containing the follicular aspirates to the chest of the husband. Transport times varied between 1.5 and 3 hr, depending on traffic conditions. Results: Up to November 1, 1994, a total of 77 transport ICSI cycles and 294 own ICSI cycles were carried out. Although locally significantly more oocytes were retrieved and thus available for ICSI than in transport cycles, fertilization and pregnancy rates were not different between the two groups. Conclusions: These results suggest that long-distance transport of human oocytes seems not to be harmful to their capacity to be successfully injected and to further embryonic development and their implantation potential. Transport ICSI seems to be a valuable and cost-effective approach to treat high numbers of patients at a restricted number of highly specialized IVF laboratories, especially in countries where ICSI is not commonly available.Presented in part at the IXth World Congress on In Vitro Fertilization and Alternate Assisted Reproduction, April 3–7, 1995, Vienna, Austria.     

Obstetric outcomes in nulliparous women aged 35 and over with singleton pregnancies conceived by in vitro fertilization

Objective To investigate obstetric outcomes in singleton pregnancies conceived by in vitro fertilization (IVF) to nulliparous women older than 35 compared to those of their younger counterparts. Methods Nulliparous women 35 years and older at delivery conceived by IVF (n = 89) were compared with nulliparous women 34 years and younger at delivery conceived by IVF (n = 48). Data included antenatal data, gestational age at delivery, maternal and neonatal complications and mode of delivery. Results The incidence of pregnancy-induced hypertension in the younger group was significantly higher than that in the elderly group (13 vs. 3.4%, P = 0.043). There were no measurable differences in other obstetric outcomes such as placental abnormality, premature delivery or neonatal asphyxia between the two groups. Conclusion The current results suggest that obstetric complications in pregnancies conceived IVF are attributed to mechanisms other than those depend on advanced maternal age.     

质量标称重组人促卵泡激素α预装注射笔在辅助生殖技术周期中的应用

目的评价质量标称重组人促卵泡激素α(filled-by-mass recombinant human follitropinα,FbM-rhFSHα)预装注射笔在中国人群辅助生殖技术的常规控制性卵巢刺激中应用的有效性和安全性。方法此试验是前瞻性、多中心、观察性研究。从2008年12月至2010年1月在11家生殖中心中共1549名患者应用FbM-rhFSHα注射笔进行控制性卵巢刺激,并对取卵数、胚胎数、妊娠率以及妊娠率与基线数据的关系进行分析,同时评价多胎妊娠、卵巢过度刺激综合征(OHSS)发生等方面的安全性。结果 1548名患者完成研究,1526名患者取得卵子,平均取卵数是12.95±6.38;1508名患者获得胚胎,平均获得胚胎数是8.39±4.92;临床妊娠率是41.2%(638/1548)。在妊娠相关因素的分析中,年龄>40岁分别与年龄≤35岁和35<年龄≤40岁的患者比较,临床妊娠率明显降低(18.2%,42.1%,39.1%;P=0.0146)。BMI≥27的患者与BMI<18.5,18.5≤BMI<24,24≤BMI<27的患者比较临床妊娠率明显降低(26.4%,42.6%,42.3%,40.7%...     

Laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy of endometriomas: surgeons' experience may affect ovarian reserve and live-born rate in infertile patients with in vitro fertilization-intracytoplasmic sperm injection

Objective

To assess whether the laparoscopist's experience can affect ovarian reserve and pregnancy outcome in vitro fertilization-intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF-ICSI) patients who previously underwent laparoscopic conservative treatment for ovarian endometriomas.

Study design

One hundred and forty-nine IVF-ICSI cycles with infertile patients who previously underwent laparoscopic conservative treatment for ovarian endometriomas were enrolled. There were 76 cycles with an inexperienced surgeon and 73 cycles with an experienced surgeon.

Results

The number of antral follicle count (7.5 ± 3.8 vs. 9.6 ± 6.6; p = 0.011), and live-born rate per cycle (9.3% vs. 32.9%; p < 0.001) were significantly lower in the inexperienced group comparing with the experienced group. However, the mean number of oocytes, fertilization rate, mean number of embryos transferred, rate of good-quality embryos transferred, implantation rate and clinical pregnancy were similar between both groups.

Conclusions

The experience of the laparoscopist may affect ovarian reserve and live-born rate after treating ovarian endometrioma in infertile women with IVF-ICSI.     

Microtubule organization during rabbit fertilization by intracytoplasmic sperm injection with and without sperm centrosome

Aim  In most mammalian fertilization, the sperm introduces the centrosome, which acts as a microtubule organizing center (MTOC) and is essential for pronuclear movement. In rabbit fertilization, biparental centrosomal contribution in microtubule organization has been suggested. Methods  To reveal the function and inheritance of the centrosome during rabbit fertilization, we compared microtubule organization and early embryonal development following intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) with and without sperm centrosome. Sperm centrosome was removed by sonication, and the isolated sperm head was injected by a Piezo-driven micromanipulator. Samples were studied by light microscope after immunocytological stain. Results  The sperm aster formation was observed 2–3 h after ICSI with intact sperm. In contrast, microtubules were organized between the male and female pronudeus without a nucleation site in the eggs after ICSI with an isolated sperm head. In the late pronudear stage following ICSI with an isolated sperm head, microtubule organization was the same as in late pronudear stage eggs after intact sperm injection. The first mitotic spindle was organized in eggs following ICSI with an isolated sperm head, as observed in eggs following ICSI with an intact sperm. Conclusions  These results indicate that the MTOC is in oocyte cytoplasm during fertilization and fulfils the function when the sperm centrosome is absent.     

Cysteamine supplementation during in vitro maturation (IVM) of rabbit oocyte improves the developmental capacity after intracytoplasmic sperm injection

Purpose

Current approaches to in vitro maturation (IVM) may result in low efficiency and inadequate quality of the oocytes due to insufficient cytoplasmic maturation. Although positive effects of the cysteamine supplementation in IVM medium for oocyte nuclear maturation or male pronuclear formation have been confirmed, it is still controversial whether the cysteamine addition affects embryo development after IVM. We aimed here to confirm the effect of cysteamine addition into IVM medium for subsequent embryo development in vitro.

Methods

We administered the cysteamine to the IVM culture of rabbit immature oocytes at various concentrations and observed the developmental rate, speed to reach blastocyst stage and cell numbers at the blastocyst stage.

Results

Cysteamine supplementation improved developmental rate to blastocyst stage of the IVM oocytes. On the other hand, addition of glutathione (GSH) inhibitor buthionine sulfoximine inhibited GSH accumulation in the oocytes and subsequent embryo development to the blastocyst stage.

Conclusions

Controlling the GSH quantity of IVM oocytes may be an important factor for success of embryo development, and it is quite probable that a cysteamine supplementation can contribute to an increase of GSH content in oocyte.     

Effects of sperm viability on fertilization and embryo cleavage following intracytoplasmic sperm injection

Purpose: In the human, intracytoplasmic sperm injection is typically performed using “viable” sperm which has been mechanically rendered nonmotile. The purpose of the present study was to determine the ability of nonviable sperm to fertilize human oocytes and the early developmental normalcy of the resulting embryos. Methods: In this study, immature, prophase I oocytes from a total of 27 consenting patients were matured in vitro and then randomized into two groups: injection with a viable human sperm or injection with a sperm rendered nonviable by freeze-thawing in liquid nitrogen. The rates of fertilization and cleavage were compared between the two groups. Results: The results demonstrated a significantly higher two-pronuclear fertilization rate when oocytes were injected with viable sperm (62.2%) compared to when oocytes were injected with nonviable sperm (16.2%). Oocytes injected with viable sperm also demonstrated a higher cleavage rate (91 vs 33%). Conclusions: These findings suggest that while the intracytoplasmic injection of nonviable human sperm can result in normal fertilization, it does so at a much reduced rate compared to viable sperm and may not result in normally cleaving embryos. Presented at the Fifty-First Annual Meeting of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, Seattle, Washington, October 7–12, 1995.