The postwash total progressively motile sperm cell count is a reliable predictor of total fertilization failure during in vitro fertilization treatment.
OBJECTIVE
To predict the chance of total fertilization failure (TFF) before the day of ovum pickup with known semen and female variables.


METHODS
A statistical model was constructed to predict TFF by retrospective analysis (2,366 couples) and subsequently tested on a new IVF population (917 couples).


METHODS
Academic tertiary referral center.


METHODS
Three thousand three hundred eighty-three couples who underwent an IVF-ET treatment.


METHODS
None.


METHODS
The ability to predict the probability of TFF in IVF.


RESULTS
Two variables-postwash total progressively motile sperm cell count (postwash TPMC) and number of follicles-were found to be significant. Taking a probability of 25% as an acceptable risk of TFF, we calculated that a postwash TPMC of <1.1 x 10(6) cells results in a risk of TFF of >25%. Low responders (<4 follicles) needed a postwash TPMC of >2.2 x 10(6) cells to reduce the risk of TFF to <25%. High responders (>15 follicles) needed only 0.35 x 10(6) postwash progressively motile spermatozoa.


CONCLUSIONS
When postwash TPMC and number of follicles are known and an unacceptable TFF outcome is expected, one can propose an ICSI procedure a few days before the day of ovum pickup.
Rhemrev
J P
JP
IVF Center, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Fertility, Research Institute for Endocrinology, Reproduction, and Metabolism, Medical Center Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Lens
J W
JW
McDonnell
J
J
Schoemaker
J
J
Vermeiden
J P
JP
D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008954:Models, Biological; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012661:Semen / Q000502:physiology; D013076:Sperm Count; D013081:Sperm Motility; D017211:Treatment Failure