Effect of increasing paternal body mass index on pregnancy and live birth rates in couples undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection

In this study, our purpose was to investigate the possible effect of paternal obesity on intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) outcomes on the basis of clinical pregnancy outcome. Antropometric measurements of 155 couples, referred to our infertility clinic and who underwent an ICSI cycle, have been evaluated. The study sample were divided into three groups with respect to paternal body mass index (BMI), as normal weight (BMI: 20–24.9), overweight (BMI: 25–29.9) and obese (BMI ≥ 30). Results of conventional semen analysis were also analysed. Clinical pregnancy data, including fertilisation rate, implantation rate, clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate, were evaluated. Paternal obesity was a significant negative factor for sperm concentration and sperm motility (P = 0.03 and P = 0.01 respectively). A significant decrease of clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate was associated with increased paternal BMI (P = 0.04 and P = 0.03 respectively). We have not determined a significant difference among groups in terms of fertilisation rate and implantation rate. This study demonstrates that increasing paternal BMI has a negative influence on ICSI success, including clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate. There is a need for further studies to point the importance of lifestyle changes in order to overcome the negative influence of paternal obesity on couple's fertility.     

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.     

Determining the need for rescue intracytoplasmic sperm injection in partial fertilisation failure during a conventional IVF cycle

To explore the need for rescue intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in cases of partial fertilisation failure during a conventional in vitro fertilisation cycle, rescue ICSI was performed for cycles with a fertilisation rate of <50%. The data were divided into three groups based on the fertilisation rate: group 1 (0%), group 2 (<25%) and group 3 (>25%). The impact of rescue ICSI on each group was then analysed in terms of ovum fertilisation, embryo development, embryo utilisation and selection of embryos for transfer. Rescue ICSI was performed on 1831 unfertilised oocytes from 313 cycles. The fertilisation rates for group 1, group 2 and group 3 were 74.66, 68.35 and 65.46%, and the rate of polyploidy in the three groups was 8.55, 11.33, and 14.47%. The percentage of embryos that can be transferred from rescue ICSI for group 2 was 38.33%, and this value was higher than those of the other two groups. It is concluded that rescue ICSI is not recommended for patients with an IVF rate of >25% as the procedure is associated with a greater risk and low returns. However, it is feasible to perform rescue ICSI for patients with IVF rates of <25%.     

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.     

Development a nomogram to predict fertilisation rate of infertile males with borderline semen by using semen parameters combined with AMH and INHB

The sperm quality of some males is in a critical state, making it hard for clinicians to choose the suitable fertilisation methods. This study aimed to develop an intelligent nomogram for predicting fertilisation rate of infertile males with borderline semen. 160 males underwent in vitro fertilisation (IVF), 58 of whom received rescue ICSI (R-ICSI) due to fertilisation failure (fertilisation rate of IVF ≤30%). A least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression analysis identified sperm concentration, progressively motile spermatozoa (PMS), seminal plasma anti-Müllerian hormone (spAMH), seminal plasma inhibin (spINHB), serum AMH (serAMH) and serum INHB (serINHB) as significant predictors. The nomogram was plotted by multivariable logistic regression. This nomogram-illustrated model showed good discrimination, calibration and clinical value. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of the nomogram was 0.762 (p < .001). Calibration curve and Hosmer–Lemeshow test (p = .5261) showed good consistency between the predictions of the nomogram and the actual observations, and decision curve analysis showed that the nomogram was clinically useful. This nomogram may be useful in predicting fertilisation rate, mainly focused on new biomarkers, INHB and AMH. It could assist clinicians and laboratory technicians select appropriate fertilisation methods (IVF or ICSI) for male patients with borderline semen.     

Spermatozoa retrieved by electroejaculation: Should we prefer fresh or cryopreserved spermatozoa for intracytoplasmic sperm injection?

We aim to evaluate our experience, comparing intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) outcomes of cycle using fresh versus thawed electroejaculated spermatozoa. All consecutive couples undergoing ICSI cycles using electroejaculated spermatozoa, during a 16-year period, were evaluated. Embryological/laboratory variables of the ICSI cycles were assessed and compared between those utilising fresh (fresh group) versus thawed (thawed group) electroejaculated spermatozoa. Fifty-seven couples were evaluated, 30 used a fresh electroejaculated spermatozoa in 55 ICSI cycles, while 27 used a thawed sperm sample in 41 ICSI cycles. There were no in-between group differences in the mean numbers of oocytes retrieved per oocyte retrieval nor the percentage of MII oocytes. The fresh group demonstrated significantly higher fertilisation (71.5% vs. 64.1%, respectively, p < .05), top-quality embryos (66.5% vs. 54.9%, respectively, p < .02), clinical pregnancy per transfer (41.3% and 21.2%, respectively, p < .05) and cumulative clinical pregnancy (58.2% vs. 26.8%, respectively, p < .001) rates, as compared to the thawed group. Independent of the source of spermatozoa used, no pregnancy was achieved following ICSI utilising immotile spermatozoa. In conclusion, ICSI cycles using ejaculated spermatozoa of patients suffering from neurologic or psychogenic anejaculation are reassuring. The use of fresh ejaculated spermatozoa retrieved on the day of the female spouse oocyte retrieval might improve outcome. Whenever a thawed electroejaculated spermatozoa yield no motile spermatozoa, emergency electroejaculation is mandatory.     

Elevated sperm DNA fragmentation does not predict recurrent implantation failure

In this study, we sought to determine whether sperm DNA fragmentation (DFI%) and high DNA stainability (HDS%) evaluated by sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA) predict recurrent implantation failure (RIF) or pregnancy rate. A retrospective study was performed of consecutive cycles of ICSI treatment from 2009 to 2018. A total of 386 couples that underwent 1,216 frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycles were analysed. Mean female and male age was 34 ± 3.6 years and 37.3 ± 6.6 years, respectively, and a median total motile sperm count (TMSC) was 43.5 [9.9–105.5] million. Overall median DFI% and HDS% was 12 [7.1–18.9] and 9.6 [6.5–14.4] respectively. On multivariable analysis, DFI% and HDS% were not associated with RIF (DFI%: OR = 1.01, 95% CI: 0.98–1.04, p = .414; HDS%: OR = 0.97, 95% CI: 0.94–1.01, p = .107) or IVF success, defined as clinical pregnancy (DFI%: OR = 1.00, 95% CI: 0.99–1.01, p = .641; HDS%: OR = 1.01, 95% CI: 0.99–1.02, p = .565). We found that neither DFI% or HDS%, as assessed by SCSA, were predictive of RIF or pregnancy rate. This finding suggests that sperm DNA fragmentation does not predict RIF or pregnancy rate.     

Effect of the sexual abstinence period recommended by the World Health Organization on clinical outcomes of fresh embryo transfer cycles with normal ovarian response after intracytoplasmic sperm injection

This study was to investigate whether the sexual abstinence period (SAP) recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) affects clinical outcomes. We compared the rate of clinical outcomes between 2–7 and ≥8 days of SAP in first fresh embryo transfer after intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in groups of young maternal age (YMA: <38 years) and old maternal age (OMA: ≥38 years). We conducted a retrospective study of 449 first ICSI cycles with a normal ovarian response. SAP was identified before collecting the semen samples. Semen analysis was performed based on the guidelines recommended by WHO (2010). Sperm preparation was made using the swim‐up method. Patients’ baseline characteristics in the YMA and OMA groups did not differ. The rates of fertilisation, top‐quality embryos on day 3, biochemical pregnancy, clinical pregnancy, ongoing pregnancy, abortion and implantation per cycle were not significantly different between 2–7 and ≥8 days of SAP in the YMA or OMA group. In conclusion, SAP beyond the recommended period by WHO was not associated with the rates of a lower fertilisation and pregnancy in human in vitro fertilisation (IVF). We think that a new criterion of SAP for clinical application in human IVF needs to be considered by WHO.     

The influence of testicular microlithiasis on the outcomes of in vitro fertilisation in a Chinese Han population

To investigate the influence of testicular microlithiasis (TM) on the outcomes of in vitro fertilisation (IVF), we retrospectively reviewed the ultrasonography results of the TM patients who underwent IVF treatment in our hospital. They were classified as classic‐TM (CTM) or limited‐TM (LTM) comparing with patients without TM (Non‐TM). Semen parameters, rates of fertilisation, normal fertilisation, good embryos and clinical pregnancy were analysed. The Non‐TM group showed higher percentage of morphologically normal spermatozoa than the CTM or LTM group (4.08 ± 2.07 versus 3.40 ± 2.00 versus 3.04 ± 1.66, p = .003) while the other general semen parameters were comparable. The LTM group showed higher rate of fertilisation than the CTM group (85.10% versus 81.12%, p = .044). Moreover, the rates of normal fertilisation of Non‐TM (62.47%) and LTM (66.32%) group were significantly higher than the CTM (58.02%) group (p = .027 and p = .001 respectively). There were 333 embryo transfer cycles in total (including 222 fresh and 111 frozen). The overall clinical pregnancy rate was 54.95%, 58.33% and 64.12% in the group of CTM, LTM and Non‐TM respectively. However, no statistically significant difference was obtained (p = .326). Our results suggest that TM may have influence on the IVF outcomes. The extent of microlithiasis correlates inversely with the rates of fertilisation and normal fertilisation.     

The outcome of clinical pregnancies following intracytoplasmic sperm injection is not affected by semen quality

Summary.  The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of severe oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (OAT) on pregnancy outcome. For this purpose 279 consecutive intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles were retrospectively evaluated and compared to 436 consecutive IVF cycles performed during the same time frame. Group A ( n = 62) included ICSI patients with severe OAT; group B ( n = 217) included patients who underwent ICSI for other indications; and group C ( n = 436) included couples who underwent standard IVF. The mean age of female patients and mean number of embryos transferred were comparable in all groups. No difference was observed regarding implantation, clinical pregnancy, delivery and miscarriage rates between all three groups, but fertilization rate was significantly lower in group A than in groups B and C. It is concluded that couples undergoing ICSI with severe male infertility (OAT) have a slightly reduced fertilization rate but their chances of delivery and pregnancy loss are similar to those of other patients undergoing clinical ICSI and IVF with non-male infertility.     

In vitro effects of clomiphene citrate on sperm parameters and fertilisation rate in male NMRI mice

Clomiphene citrate (CC), as a medication in male infertility, improves the sperm parameters in oral consumption but various detrimental side effects have been reported including testicular tumours, gynaecomastia, skin allergic reactions and ocular symptoms. Therefore, this study was designed to evaluate the in vitro effects of CC on sperm parameters and fertilisation rate in IVF protocol. Sperm samples of NMRI adult mice were divided into six groups: group 1 received no treatment (control group), while groups of 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 (experimental groups) were incubated with the doses of 0.001, 0.01, 0.1, 1 and 10 µg/ml of CC in culture medium respectively. Sperm parameters (viability, morphology and motility), DNA fragmentation levels and fertilisation rate in IVF were evaluated. The results demonstrated that the doses of 0.1 µg/ml (p = .000007 for viability and p = .00006 for fertilisation rate) and 1 µg/ml (p = .032 for viability and p = .005 for fertilisation rate) CC cause a significant improvements; also, the dose of 0.1 µg/ml CC found effective on sperm motility (p = .0003). In the field of IVF, the application of 0.1 and 1 µg/ml of CC in the culture medium may improve the sperm parameters in IVF protocol with no side effects.     

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.     

Morphokinetics of embryos after IMSI versus ICSI in couples with sub-optimal sperm quality: A time-lapse study

An investigation was conducted to determine the influence of two sperm selection modalities, IMSI and ICSI, on the morphokinetics, dynamic development and ploidy status of embryos derived from males with sub-optimal sperm profiles during IVF program. A total of 209 PGTA-tested top-quality blastocysts (IMSI = 129, ICSI = 80) from 84 couples (IMSI = 51, ICSI = 33) were assessed retrospectively. This study found that both IMSI and ICSI yielded comparable embryo morphokinetics, except for the T7, TEB and CC3 parameters (p < 0.05). A significant lower incidence of multinucleation was observed in the IMSI group when compared to the ICSI group (48.8% vs. 71.3%, p = 0.002), while other parameters of embryo development such as direct cleavage, distorted cytoplasmic movement, reverse cleavage and vacuole(s) appearance did not differ (p > 0.05). No differences were noticed in the proportion of generating chromosomally euploid embryos (44.2% vs. 51.3%, p = 0.394, respectively, for IMSI and ICSI). The implementation of IMSI or ICSI in couples with sub-optimal sperm profiles resulted in embryos with comparatively similar morphokinetics. Furthermore, the incidence of multinucleation at the two- to four-cell stage was lower following the practice of IMSI, although the method did not improve the proportion of gaining euploid embryos.     

精子畸形率对体外受精-胚胎移植治疗结局的影响

目的回顾性分析我中心接受常规体外受精（IVF）及卵胞浆内单精子注射（ICSI）治疗中,男方精子畸形率对受精率、胚胎质量及临床结局的影响。方法选取本中心2008年9月至2010年5月接受IVF的344对及ICSI的178对夫妇,分为常规IVF组和ICSI组,组内按照男方精子畸形率分为正常形态组（IVF266／ICSI76）和畸精子症组（IVF78／ICSI102）。受精后分别统计IVF及ICSI两组内畸精子症组和正常形态组正常受精率、优质胚胎率、种植率、临床妊娠率及流产率的差别。结果在IVF中,畸精子症组和正常形态组的正常受精率、种植率、临床妊娠率及流产率分别为64．32％／60．09％、33．78％／37．02％、42．03％／54．62％及12．5％／4．23％。两组间受精率无显著性差别,畸精子症组的临床妊娠率显著性低于正常形态组,而早期流产率显著高于正常形态组（P〈0．05）;ICSI组中,畸精子症组和正常形态组的正常受精率、种植率、临床妊娠率及流产率分别为68．01％／64．59％、32．26％／33．78％、43．75％／52．63％及4．76％／5％。畸精子症患者的临床妊娠率较正常组显著性降低（P〈0．05）。将两种受精方式的畸精子症组间比较,IVF的患者早孕流产率显著高于ICSI者（P〈0.05）。结论常规IVF中畸精子症不影响正常受精。对于畸精症子患者,其临床妊娠率均较精子形态正常组低,但是采用ICSI治疗可以显著降低早孕流产率。‘     

Frequency of sex chromosomal disomy in spermatozoa of normal and oligozoospermic Iranian patients and its effects on fertilisation and implantation rates after ICSI

Chromosomal aneuploidy is a well‐known phenomenon in human gametes including spermatozoa. Success rate of fertilisation and implantation in subfertile patients with male factor has always been shown to be very low. We tried to relate the possible impact of sex chromosomal aneuploidy in spermatozoa used for intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) on fertilisation and implantation rate. To evaluate the frequency of disomy for X and Y chromosomes in sperm samples retrieved from normal and oligozoospermic individuals, primed in situ labelling (PRINS) technique was used. Following ICSI, the rate of eight‐cell embryos for each category was determined and followed up for successful implantation. Results showed a statistically significant higher frequency of disomy for all chromosomes under study in spermatozoa of oligozoospermic patients compared with normal men (P < 0.01). The rate of eight‐cells embryo formation was significantly lower than in normal group (P < 0.01). The number of embryos transferred for both groups were nearly similar. Implantation rate for oligozoospermic patients was much lower than that of the normal group but was not significantly different (P > 0.05). These results demonstrate that men especially with severe oligozoospermia have an elevated risk for chromosome abnormalities in their spermatozoa. These abnormalities might affect fertilisation and pre‐embryo formation with less impact on implantation.     

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.     

IMSI procedure improves clinical outcomes and embryo morphokinetics in patients with different aetiologies of male infertility

Our objective was to evaluate the effect of IMSI on embryo kinetics and clinical outcomes in patients with different aetiologies of male infertility. A total of 150 couples with different aetiologies of male infertility were randomly divided into ICSI and IMSI treatment groups (n = 75). ICSI was done accordingly. For IMSI group, the sperm selection was done using MSOME criteria and then injected. The zygotes were cultured in time‐lapse monitoring system (TLM) for 3 days. A total of 650 embryos were developed and assessed using TLM in two groups. Data showed the rate of fragmentation had significant correlation with different aetiologies (p = 0.01), and the timing of s1, t4, s2 and t5 occurred significantly later in oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (OAT) patients compared with others (p < 0.05). In IMSI group, there were no differences in the TLM parameters among different aetiologies (p > 0.05). The rates of chemical pregnancy and implantation (37.8% and 38.2% respectively) were insignificantly higher in OAT patients compare to others (p > 0.05). Also, the clinical pregnancy and live birth rates (32% and 32% respectively) were insignificantly higher in teratozoospermia (T) cases. Sperm selection with MSOME parameters and IMSI can improve the embryo morphokinetics and clinical outcomes in couples with male factor infertility, especially for OAT and T patients.     

ICSI outcomes in men undergoing TESE for azoospermia and impact of maternal age

This retrospective study compared clinical outcomes in men with obstructive and nonobstructive azoospermia after ICSI following testicular sperm extraction and the influence of maternal age. Fertilisation rates, embryo quality, pregnancy rates, miscarriage rates and live birth rates were evaluated. Men with obstructive azoospermia (OA) had significantly higher rates of diploid fertilisation and clinical pregnancy than men with nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA), but miscarriage rates and live birth rates were not significantly different. The higher rates of fertilisation, embryo quality and clinical pregnancy in men with OA were statistically significant when their female partners were <35 years but results were similar in both groups when female partners ≥35 years. Although the OA group had better overall quality embryos than the NOA group when maternal age was <35 years, embryologists can select the morphologically better embryos for transfer, eliminating the effect of embryo quality differences present in these two groups. Understanding more about factors that affect TESE/ICSI outcomes will not only help us predict patients' outcomes but it can help us educate and better counsel our patients.     

Predictive value of semen parameters in in vitro fertilisation pregnancy outcome

This study investigated retrospectively the predictive value of routine semen analysis in pregnancy by in vitro fertilisation (IVF). The selected (n = 796) cycles were divided into two groups: pregnancy group (group 1; n = 264) and nonpregnancy group (group 2; n = 532), in which the female partners were normal or just had tube problems. No significant differences were found in the percentage of normal sperm morphology, sperm motility, sperm progressive motility, rapid progressive motility (rapid) and concentration between the two groups (P > 0.05). However, teratozoospermic index (TZI) and sperm deformity index (SDI) showed statistically significant differences between the two groups (P < 0.05). The number of retrieved eggs (P = 0.001), fertilisation rate (P = 0.000) and number of embryos transferred (P = 0.020) in group 1 were significantly higher than those in group 2, but no significant differences were noted in cleavage rates, and good quality embryo rates between the two groups (P > 0.05). Using receiver operating characteristics curve, we found that semen parameters (morphology, motility and concentration), fertilisation rate, TZI and SDI were not good indicators for pregnancy by IVF. Thus, the semen parameters evaluated according to criteria of the World Health Organization are no good predictors for accurately identifying the IVF outcome. However, TZI and SDI may be more informative than other semen parameters.     

Is time since vasectomy more important as prognostic factor for pregnancy and live birth than female and laboratory variables when treating vasectomised man using ICSI?

Fatherhood after vasectomy can be done by vasectomy reversal or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Time since vasectomy is the best predictive factor for patency and live birth after a vasectomy reversal but has uncertain importance after ICSI with sperm retrieval. The present study examines the influence of male, female and laboratory variables on pregnancy and live birth. The study is based on 450 ICSI cycles from 332 patients performed on three infertility centres between 1994 and 2012. Interval time since vasectomy was divided in four groups GI—less than 3 years (n = 02); GII—3 to 8 years (n = 74); GIII—9 to 14 years (n = 161) and GIV—15 or more years (n = 213). The variables were tested for pregnancy rate and live birth for first and repeated cycles. Pregnancy and live birth rate were not statistically different among the study interval time groups for first or repeated cycles. Female and laboratory variables were statistically different for couples with pregnancy and live birth for the first cycles. The study suggests that variables coming from female and laboratory were more important than time since vasectomy when treating man with vasectomy using ICSI with sperm retrieval.