title: Efficiency of hyaluronic acid (HA) sperm selection.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Hyaluronic Acid (HA) has a role as "physiologic selector" for spermatozoa prior to intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). The objective of this study is to analyze the results achievable by the introduction of a routine HA-ICSI programme.
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrospectively observed 293 couples treated with HA-ICSI versus 86 couples treated with conventional PVP-ICSI (historical control group). ICSI was performed on a limited number of oocytes per patient (1-3) according to Italian IVF law at the time of the study. Main outcome measures observed were: fertilization, embryo quality, implantation and pregnancy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  This study showed that Injection of HA-bound spermatozoa (HA-ICSI) significantly improves embryo quality and implantation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  If wider multi-center randomized studies will confirm these beneficial effects on ICSI outcome, HA could be considered as a routine choice for "physiologic" sperm selection prior to ICSI.
authors.affiliation: Reproductive Medicine Unit-GynePro Medical Centers, GynePro Medical, Via T. Cremona, 8-40137, Bologna, Italy. l.parmegiani@gynepro.it
authors.forename: Lodovico
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Parmegiani
authors.forename: Graciela Estela
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Cognigni
authors.forename: Walter
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Ciampaglia
authors.forename: Patrizia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pocognoli
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Marchi
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Filicori
mesh_terms: D010064:Embryo Implantation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D010062:Ovulation Induction; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D020554:Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic / Q000379:methods; D053625:Sperm Retrieval; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000502:physiology*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D006820:Hyaluronic Acid