Efficiency of hyaluronic acid (HA) sperm selection.
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.
Parmegiani
Lodovico
L
Reproductive Medicine Unit-GynePro Medical Centers, GynePro Medical, Via T. Cremona, 8-40137, Bologna, Italy. l.parmegiani@gynepro.it
Cognigni
Graciela Estela
GE
Ciampaglia
Walter
W
Pocognoli
Patrizia
P
Marchi
Francesca
F
Filicori
Marco
M
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
D006820:Hyaluronic Acid