Transfer of cryopreserved embryos improved pregnancy rates in patients with damage to the functional integrity of the sperm membrane as measured by the hypo-osmotic swelling test.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the pregnancy rates (PRs) after transfer of cryopreserved embryos in patients who have damage to the functional integrity of the sperm membrane as measured by the hypo-osmotic swelling test to those without this defect.


METHODS
Prospective clinical study.


METHODS
University-associated IVF center.


METHODS
Fifty-four patients enrolled in a matched prospective study to evaluate the effects of low HOS scores (<50%) on PRs after IVF-ET were followed to determine the PR after transfer of cryopreserved embryos.


METHODS
Clinical PRs and implantation rates.


RESULTS
Fourteen patients with low hypo-osmotic swelling test scores underwent 21 frozen ET cycles, achieved for clinical pregnancies for a PR per cycle of 19.0% and an implantation rate of 7.1%. Twelve patients with normal hypo-osmotic swelling test scores underwent 21 frozen ET cycles, achieved five preganancies for a clinical PR per cycle of 23.8% and an implantation rate of 9.3%.


CONCLUSIONS
Previous studies have demonstrated an adverse effect of low hypo-osmotic swelling test scores on PRs after IVF-ET despite normal fertilization. This adverse effect was not found in the transfer of cryopreserved embryos from males with hypo-osmotic swelling test scores. Further investigation is required to determine how cryopreservation improves the chances of implantation of these embryos.
Check
J H
JH
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Camden, USA.
Baker
A
A
Benfer
K
K
Lurie
D
D
Katsoff
D
D
D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000502:physiology*; D048429:Cell Size; D015925:Cryopreservation; D010064:Embryo Implantation; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007038:Hypotonic Solutions; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure*
D007038:Hypotonic Solutions