Pregnancy rate is significantly higher in in vitro fertilization procedure with spermatozoa isolated from nonliquefying semen in which liquefaction is induced by alpha-amylase.
In 115 patients (group I) in which normal liquefaction of semen occurred, the fertilization rate of the yielded oocytes was 71.2% after standard in vitro fertilization procedure, and the viable pregnancy rate per patient per cycle was 13.0%. In a comparable group of 26 patients (group II), in which semen liquefaction did not occur spontaneously, alpha-amylase was added in order to liquefy the semen. In this group, the fertilization rate was 86.7% of the yielded oocytes, and the viable pregnancy rate per patient per cycle was 26.9% (P less than 0.05). It is concluded that alpha-amylase can be of use to liquefy nonliquefying semen, and that the resultant spermatozoa have a positive effect on pregnancy results.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Academic Hospital Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
J P
JP
Vermeiden
R E
RE
Bernardus
C S
CS
ten Brug
C H
CH
Statema-Lohmeijer
A M
AM
Willemsen-Brugma
J
J
Schoemaker
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D012661:Semen / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D013081:Sperm Motility; D000516:alpha-Amylases / Q000494:pharmacology*
D000516:alpha-Amylases