The effects of sperm quality on embryo development after intracytoplasmic sperm injection.
OBJECTIVE
To explore the possible relationship between sperm quality and embryo development, pregnancy and implantation rates, in patients undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).


METHODS
Fertilization and cleavage rates, quality of embryos, blastocyst development, pregnancy and implantation rates were analyzed in 1020 embryos from 219 couples undergoing first ICSI treatment cycle. The couples were allocated in five groups, according to semen parameters: Group 1: patients with normal semen parameters, Group 2: patients with mild oligo-astheno-teratozoospermia, Group 3: patients with severe oligo-astheno-teratozoospermia, Group 4: patients with obstructive azoospermia, Group 5: patients with non-obstructive azoospermia.


RESULTS
Fertilization and cleavage rates, quality of embryos as well as blastocyst development rates were significantly reduced, as semen quality decreased. However, no significant differences were observed in clinical pregnancy and implantation rates.


CONCLUSIONS
Overall, a negative relationship was observed between semen quality and embryo development, even before activation of the embryonic genome, suggesting that sperm can affect embryogenesis from a very early stage.
Unit for Human Reproduction, 1st Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Papageorgiou General Hospital, Ring Road, Nea Efkarpia, Thessaloniki, 546 03, Greece.
Kalliopi E
KE
Loutradi
Basil C
BC
Tarlatzis
Dimitrios G
DG
Goulis
Leonidas
L
Zepiridis
Thoula
T
Pagou
Elisabeth
E
Chatziioannou
Grigoris F
GF
Grimbizis
Ioannis
I
Papadimas
Ioannis
I
Bontis
D000328:Adult; D010064:Embryo Implantation; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male; D008297:Male; D020554:Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic; D013094:Spermatozoa