The effect of pentoxifylline on sperm motility, oocyte fertilization, embryo quality, and pregnancy outcome in an in vitro fertilization program.
OBJECTIVE
To study the effect of pentoxifylline on sperm motility, oocyte fertilization, embryo cleavage, and quality as well as pregnancy outcome on asthenospermic patients participating in an IVF program.


METHODS
Prospective randomized study.


METHODS
Private IVF unit.


METHODS
Ninety-seven couples, 24 of whom were repeating IVF. Two semen specimens were obtained from each patient and each specimen was divided equally into two parts, nontreated (control semen) and pentoxifylline-treated (treated semen).


METHODS
Sperm progressive motility, oocyte fertilization.


RESULTS
Overall and progressive motility did not differ significantly between the two semen specimens. There was a significant increase in the progressive motality of the pentoxifylline-treated semen compared with control semen. No significant difference was noticed between control and treated semen in fertilization rate, cleavage rate, embryo quality, and pregnancy rate. The percentage of patients who fertilized only with control semen (9.3%) was not significantly different from that of patients who fertilized only with treated semen (10.3%). Couples who were repeating IVF did not show significant difference in fertilization between the present study and previous attempts.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results showed that although the sperm progressive motility is improved after pentoxifylline treatment, it is doubtful whether this effect is of any clinical significance.
Dimitriadou
F
F
Euromedica Medical Institute of High Technology S.A., Athens, Greece.
Rizos
D
D
Mantzavinos
T
T
Arvaniti
K
K
Voutsina
K
K
Prapa
A
A
Kanakas
N
N
D002970:Cleavage Stage, Ovum / Q000187:drug effects; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D005306:Fertilization / Q000187:drug effects*; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010431:Pentoxifylline / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000187:drug effects*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects*
D010431:Pentoxifylline