Morphology and clinical outcomes of embryos after in vitro fertilization are superior to those after intracytoplasmic sperm injection.
OBJECTIVE
To compare embryos obtained after IVF and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) regarding morphology and the likelihood of achieving clinical pregnancy.


METHODS
Case-control study.


METHODS
An IVF unit controlling 1,310 cycles in 1996.


METHODS
Women having a total of 477 IVF and 475 ICSI consecutive cycles.


METHODS
Ovarian stimulation, IVF-ET, or ICSI-ET for all couples.


METHODS
Number of grade-A embryos transferred, preclinical pregnancy losses, and clinical pregnancy rates in IVF and ICSI cycles.


RESULTS
In comparison with the ICSI group, the IVF group showed significantly more grade-A embryos available for transfer (mean, 2 +/- 1.6 versus 1.8 +/- 1.5), significantly fewer preclinical pregnancy losses (1.6% versus 4%), and significantly higher clinical pregnancy rates (25% versus 19.1%).


CONCLUSIONS
Embryos obtained after IVF are superior to those obtained after ICSI in relation to embryo morphology and the likelihood of achieving clinical pregnancy.
Bar-Hava
I
I
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Rabin Medical Center (Golda Campus), Petah-Tikva, Israel.
Ashkenazi
J
J
Shelef
M
M
Schwartz
A
A
Brengauz
M
M
Feldberg
D
D
Orvieto
R
R
Ben-Rafael
Z
Z
D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003593:Cytoplasm; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008845:Microinjections; D008846:Micromanipulation; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D013094:Spermatozoa