Could in vitro fertilization with a modified sperm preparation technique be an option to micromanipulations?

Abstract

PURPOSE:

This study evaluated the efficiency of in vitro fertilization with a modified sperm preparation technique for male infertility, to avoid systematic recourse to ICSI.

METHODS:

The sperm function stimulants pentoxifylline, 2-deoxyadenosine, and follicular fluid were used during the sperm preparation of IVF trials for two groups of patients: couples with long-standing infertility and previous IVF failures and couples with male-factor infertility scheduled for their first treatment.

RESULTS:

Forty-nine attempts were performed in the first group. The overall fertilization rate (percentage of zygotes with two pronuclei 18 hr after sperm insemination) was 30% and the clinical pregnancy rate per transfer was 33%. For the second group, 30 attempts were performed. The fertilization rate was 29.6% and the clinical pregnancy rate was 62.5% per transfer. The total number of recovered motile sperm appears to be a significant parameter: a cutoff value of 0.25 million motile sperm recovered after capacitation treatment has a good prognostic value for choosing between IVF with sperm enhancers and ICSI.

CONCLUSIONS:

The described modified IVF could constitute an alternative to the systematic use of ICSI.

• Authors: C Wittemer, J Ohl, K Bettahar-Lebugle, L Moreau, P Dellenbach
• Journal: Journal of assisted reproduction and genetics (J Assist Reprod Genet) Vol. 13 Issue 9 Pg. 726-30 (Oct 1996) ISSN: 1058-0468 [Print] Netherlands
• PMID: 8947822 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Deoxyadenosines
• Pentoxifylline

Topics

• Adult
• Deoxyadenosines (pharmacology)
• Embryo Transfer
• Female
• Fertilization in Vitro (methods)
• Humans
• Infertility, Male
• Male
• Pentoxifylline (pharmacology)
• Pregnancy
• Pregnancy Outcome
• Sperm Count (drug effects)
• Sperm Motility (drug effects)
• Spermatozoa (drug effects, physiology)