Predicting the success ofin vitro fertilization: Conventional semen analysis compared to the hamster ova penetration test

1995 ◽  
Vol 14 (16) ◽  
pp. 1807-1818 ◽  
Author(s):  
Markus Abt ◽  
Erwin Strehler ◽  
Bernd Rosenbusch ◽  
Karl Sterzik
Author(s):  
Neha V. Harne ◽  
Vaibhav K. Nadkarni ◽  
Purnima Nadkarni ◽  
Jigna Garasia

Female fertility begins to decline many years prior to the onset of menopause despite continued regular ovulatory cycles. Although there is no strict definition of advanced reproductive age in women, infertility becomes more pronounced after the age of 35. In the female, the number of oocytes decreases with age until the menopause. Oocyte quality also diminishes, due in part to increased aneuploidy because of factors such as changes in spindle integrity. Although older male age affects the likelihood of conception, abnormalities in sperm chromosomes and in some components of the semen analysis are less important than the frequency of intercourse. Age is as accurate as any other predictor of conception with assisted reproductive technology.


2017 ◽  
Vol 63 (4) ◽  
pp. 332-335 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leonardo de Souza Alves ◽  
Francisco Batista de Oliveira

Summary Introduction: Varicocele disease is well-known cause of infertility in men. The presence of spermatic varices veins create a hostile environment to spermatogenesis. It results in reduced quality of the sperm production and in some cases can determine a total absence of sperm. The varicocelectomy procedure in patients with non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) can raise the rates of sperm in the semen analysis. A positive rate for sperm, even if very low, may be sufficient to enable the capture of sperm intended for in-vitro fertilization without the use of donor sperm. Objetive: To evaluate the raise of sperm in NOA patients with varicocele disease who were submitted to a bilateral procedure to recovery sperm production. Method: We analized the sperm results of 25 NOA patients who undergone to a bilateral varicocelectomy procedure. Results: From a total of 25 patients, three (12%) recovered sperm count four months after procedure. One year after the procedure, five (20%) patients recovered sperm production. Conclusion: Patients with varicocele disease and azoospermia, without genetic changes or obstruction of the spermatic tract, should undergo surgical procedure to recover sperm.


2002 ◽  
Vol 22 (9) ◽  
pp. 3046-3052 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karim Nayernia ◽  
Ibrahim M. Adham ◽  
Elke Burkhardt-Göttges ◽  
Jürgen Neesen ◽  
Mandy Rieche ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT The sperm mitochondria-associated cysteine-rich protein (SMCP) is a cysteine- and proline-rich structural protein that is closely associated with the keratinous capsules of sperm mitochondria in the mitochondrial sheath surrounding the outer dense fibers and axoneme. To investigate the function of SMCP, we generated mice with a targeted disruption of the gene Smcp by homologous recombination. Homozygous mutant males on a mixed genetic background (C57BL/6J × 129/Sv) are fully fertile, while they are infertile on the 129/Sv background, although spermatogenesis and mating are normal. Homozygous Smcp−/− female mice are fertile on both genetic backgrounds. Electron microscopical examination demonstrated normal structures of sperm head, mitochondria, and tail. In vivo experiments with sperm of Smcp−/− 129/Sv mice revealed that the migration of spermatozoa from the uterus into the oviduct is reduced. This result is supported by the observation that sperm motility as determined by the computer-assisted semen analysis system (CASA) is significantly affected as compared to wild-type spermatozoa. In vitro fertilization assays showed that Smcp-deficient spermatozoa are able to bind to the oocyte but that the number of fertilized eggs is reduced by more than threefold relative to the wild-type control. However, removal of the zona pellucida resulted in an unaffected sperm-egg fusion which was monitored by the presence of pronuclei and generation of blastocyts. These results indicate that the infertility of the male Smcp−/− mice on the 129/Sv background is due to reduced motility of the spermatozoa and decreased capability of the spermatozoa to penetrate oocytes.


1964 ◽  
Vol 156 (3) ◽  
pp. 361-375 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Yanagimachi ◽  
M. C. Chang

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (35) ◽  
pp. eaaz4796
Author(s):  
Aijie Xin ◽  
Ronggui Qu ◽  
Guowu Chen ◽  
Ling Zhang ◽  
Junling Chen ◽  
...  

Early embryonic arrest is a challenge for in vitro fertilization (IVF). No genetic factors were previously revealed in the sperm-derived arrest of embryonic development. Here, we reported two infertile brothers presenting normal in conventional semen analysis, but both couples had no embryos for transfer after several IVF and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Whole-exome sequencing identified a homozygous missense mutation of ACTL7A in both brothers. This mutation is deleterious and causes sperm acrosomal ultrastructural defects. The Actl7a knock-in mouse model was generated, and male mutated mice showed sperm acrosomal defects, which were completely consistent with the observations in patients. Furthermore, the sperm from ACTL7A/Actl7a-mutated men and mice showed reduced expression and abnormal localization of PLCζ as a potential cause of embryonic arrest and failure of fertilization. Artificial oocyte activation could successfully overcome the Actl7a-mutated sperm-derived infertility, which is meaningful in the future practice of IVF/ICSI for the ACTL7A-associated male infertility.


Author(s):  
Laura Gambera ◽  
Anita Stendardi ◽  
Camilla Ghelardi ◽  
Benedetta Fineschi ◽  
Rosamaria Aini

Objective: The aim of this non controlled trial was to assess whether a therapy with an antioxidant supplement may improve spermatozoa quality in terms of number, motility, morphology and a higher number of successful conceptions in patients with oligoasthenoteratozoospermia undergoing cycles of medically assisted reproduction by intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Materials and methods: 32 patients registered at A.G.I. Medica (Siena) medically assisted reproduction centre affected by fertility problems associated with oligoasthenoteratozoospermia were included in the study. Semen analysis were evaluated according to World Health Organization 2010, before and after treatment. Moreover, we used colorimetric tests to assess oxidative stress. After evaluating oocyte fertilisation rate and the quality of embryos obtained, data were statistically analysed. Result: Microscopy examination after the therapy, showed a general improvement in sperm parameters (number of sperms, progressive motility, viability and normal morphology) in both baseline and capacitated; also the levels of oxidative stress was notably lower after the treatment. Morever we evaluated the outcome of the IVF treatment, the percentage of fertilization and the number of embryos obtained, all the parameters was significantly higher in the N1 group. Conclusions: The outcomes of this trial seem to suggest that the administration of our food supplement improve semen parameters and that the evaluation of oxidative stress levels may become a diagnostic tool to assess male infertility in patients undergoing ART cycle.


2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (9) ◽  
pp. 4134-4142 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dong-liang Zhu ◽  
Hong-guo Zhang ◽  
Rui-xue Wang ◽  
Yu-ting Jiang ◽  
Rui-zhi Liu

Objective This study aimed to re-evaluate the clinical value of a 4% cut-off threshold of sperm morphology in in vitro fertilization (IVF) in a cohort of a Northeastern Chinese population. Methods A total of 375 IVF cycles that met strict inclusion criteria were included. These cycles were conducted with semen analysis and oocyte fertilization. A total of 188 embryo-transferred cycles proceeded. According to sperm morphology, 375 cycles were divided into group 1 (329 cycles, <4% normal sperm morphology rate [NSMR]) and group 2 (46 cycles, ≥4% NSMR), and 188 transferred cycles into group A (151 cycles, < 4% NSMR) and group B (37 cycles, ≥4% NSMR). Results The fertilization and normal fertilization rates were significantly lower in group 1 than in group 2. The normal fertilization rate was significantly correlated with an NSMR < 4% or ≥4%, but the fertilization rate was not significantly correlated with the NSMR. No significant differences were found in pregnancy outcomes between groups A and B. Conclusions This study suggests that infertile patients with an NSMR < 4% are more likely to have a poor normal fertilization status in IVF.


2012 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 193 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Lange-Consiglio ◽  
F. Cremonesi

In vitro fertilization has remained elusive in the horse, as evidenced by low sperm penetration rates when IVF has been attempted with in vivo- or in vitro-matured oocytes. It is likely that the low sperm penetration rates observed in IVF studies are due to the inability to appropriately capacitate or hyperactivate, or both, stallion sperm in the laboratory. The acquisition of hyperactivated sperm motility has been observed within the oviducts of mammals at the time of fertilization and is required for zona pellucida penetration in conjunction with the acrosome reaction (AR). Although the zona pellucida is considered the prime physiological inducer of AR, previous studies have shown a low incidence of AR in zona pellucida-bound stallion spermatozoa after 1 h of in vitro binding. This low incidence suggests that, besides the zona pellucida glycoproteins, another major factor might be responsible for AR. Protein-bound progesterone, present in equine follicular fluid (FF), has been demonstrated to induce AR in stallion spermatozoa. In this context, the aims of this study were (1) to hyperactivate stallion sperm in FF and (2) to verify whether this hyperactivation supports equine IVF. Pooled FF, aspirated from the preovulatory follicles of oestrous mares, was used and its progesterone concentration was determined by immune enzymatic assay. Spermatozoa from fertile stallions selected by a swim-up procedure were pre-incubated for 6 h in capacitating medium (modifed Whittens's medium (WM) supplemented with 25 mM NaHCO3 and 7 mg mL–1 of BSA) and then incubated for 6 h at 37°C in either FF or capacitating WM. Sperm motility was assayed by computer-assisted semen analysis, rates of AR were assessed by fluorescein isothiocyanate-PNA staining and rate of apoptosis was assessed by an annexin V test. For IVF, spermatozoa were incubated at 10 × 106 sperm mL–1 in capacitating WM for 6 h and then diluted to 1 × 106 sperm mL–1 in capacitating WM with or without 10% of FF. Five mature mare oocytes were transferred into droplets (100 μL) of the sperm suspensions covered with mineral oil and then incubated for 18 h at 38.5°C in 5% CO2 in humidified air. After that, oocytes were transferred to an embryo culture medium (DMEM/F-12) for an additional 3 days. Data were analysed by ANOVA. Treatment of sperm with FF resulted in a significant (P ≤ 0.05) decrease of 3 motility variables indicative of hyperactivation: straight line velocity, straightness and linearity. The highest rate of AR (29.44%) and a lower rate of apoptosis (16.93%) were obtained after 4 h of incubation in follicular fluid. By coupling capacitating conditions with the induction of hyperactivation using follicular fluid, we have obtained reproducible percentages of 8-cell-stage embryos (18.56%) in our IVF experiments. Conversely, sperm incubated in capacitating conditions but not treated with FF did not fertilize (0%). It is concluded that mare FF does not impair sperm viability, stimulates equine sperm hyperactivation in vitro, induces the AR and supports equine IVF.


2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 115
Author(s):  
M. L. Mphaphathi ◽  
M. M. Seshoka ◽  
F. V. Ramukhithi ◽  
Z. C. Raphalalani ◽  
T. R. Netshirovha ◽  
...  

The bull’s contribution through artificial insemination to reproductive efficiency is of great biological importance. The objectives were (1) to compare the oestrous synchronization response of Bonsmara and Nguni cows; and (2) to find the relationship between cow’s conception rate (in vivo and in vitro fertilization) and bull sperm motility rate assessed by computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA) following AI. For the in vivo sperm fertility test, 100 Bonsmara and 482 Nguni cows were randomly selected and subjected to oestrous synchronization protocol and AI with frozen–thawed assessed semen by CASA before AI. Briefly at Day 0, cows were inserted with an intravaginal CIDR® (1.9 g), which was removed on Day 7. Prostaglandin was then administered (2 mL) on Day 8 and a heatmount detector was placed on the hindquarter of each cow. For the in vitro sperm fertility test, collected oocytes from slaughterhouse were in vitro matured (n = 360) and in vitro fertilized (sperm/mL) in 100-µL droplets (final volume) of BO-IVF medium per treatment bulls (Bonsmara or Nguni bull). The frozen/thawed semen straws of Bonsmara and Nguni bulls were randomly selected and used under the same IVF conditions. The thawed bull’s sperm characteristics were examined by CASA before in vitro fertilization. Data were analysed using ANOVA. Treatment means were compared using the Fisher’s protected least significant difference t-test. There was no significant difference in oestrous response for the Bonsmara (83.0%) and Nguni (90.8%) cows, respectively. The Bonsmara cows recorded a significantly higher pregnancy rate (59.0%) compared with the Nguni (37.1%) cows (P < 0.05). Sperm traits such as total motility (TM), progressive motility and rapid were found to be positively correlated with conception rate (r = 0.06, 0.03, and 0.08, respectively; P < 0.01), although correlations were low. There was no difference in the average frozen–thawed sperm TM rate of Nguni (92.2%) and Bonsmara (81.0%). There was a lower fertilization rate following IVF with Bonsmara and Nguni bull sperm. In conclusion, Nguni cows had similar oestrous response as Bonsmara cows. The sperm traits from Bonsmara and Nguni bulls were found to be related to in vivo conception and in vitro fertilization rate when sperm cells were assessed by CASA technology. However, the pregnancy rate was lower in Nguni cows.


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