title: Sperm flow cytometric parameters are associated with ICSI outcome.
abstract: The association of sperm nuclear chromatin condensation and ploidy with embryo development and outcome after intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) was explored. The study population consisted of 16 couples referred to Ioannina University Medical School In vitro Fertilization Unit with male factor infertility and serious impairments in sperm nuclear chromatin condensation and ploidy, according to sperm flow cytometry. Additionally, 20 couples with male factor infertility and relatively high sperm flow cytometry parameters participated as controls. The 35 cycles of the study population were characterized by a lower fertilization rate (P<0.001) as well as decreased grade A embryo rate (P=0.004) and increased grade C embryo rate (P=0.028), compared with the 29 cycles of the control group. Additionally, a significantly elevated arrested embryo rate (P<0.001) and a decreased clinical pregnancy rate (P<0.020) were observed in the couples of the study population. Consequently, high levels of sperm nuclear chromatin condensation abnormalities and sperm aneuploidies are probably associated with lower fertilization rates, impaired embryo quality, elevated arrested embryo rates and decreased pregnancy rates. These preliminary results strongly support the use of sperm flow cytometry as a potential prognostic tool of ICSI outcome.
authors.affiliation: Genetics and IVF Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ioannina University Medical School, Ioannina, Greece.
authors.forename: Leandros
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lazaros
authors.forename: Georgios
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Vartholomatos
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pamporaki
authors.forename: Ioannis
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kosmas
authors.forename: Atsushi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Takenaka
authors.forename: Georgios
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Makrydimas
authors.forename: Nikolaos
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sofikitis
authors.forename: Theodoros
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Stefos
authors.forename: Konstantinos
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Zikopoulos
authors.forename: Elissavet
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hatzi
authors.forename: Ioannis
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Georgiou
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002843:Chromatin / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D020554:Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000166:cytology*
chemical_list: D002843:Chromatin