title: High-magnification selection of spermatozoa prior to oocyte injection: confirmed and potential indications.
abstract: Intracytoplasmic morphologically selected sperm injection (IMSI) involves the use of differential interference contrast microscopy at high magnification (at least ·6300) to improve the observation of live human spermatozoa (particularly by showing sperm head vacuoles that are not necessarily seen at lower magnifications) prior to intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) into the oocyte. However, a decade after IMSI’s introduction, the technique’s indications and ability to increase pregnancy and/or birth rates (relative to conventional ICSI) are subject to debate. In an attempt to clarify this debate, this work performed a systematic literature review according to the PRISMA guidelines. The PubMed database was searched from 2001 onwards with the terms ‘IMSI’, ‘MSOME’ and ‘high-magnification, sperm’. Out of 168 search results, 22 relevant studies reporting IMSI outcomes in terms of blastocyst, pregnancy, delivery and/or birth rates were selected and reviewed. The studies’ methodologies and results are described and discussed herein. In view of the scarcity of head-to-head IMSI versus ICSI studies, the only confirmed indication for IMSI is recurrent implantation failure following ICSI. All other potential indications of IMSI require further investigation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Reproductive Biology, Cytogenetics and Gynaecology, Poissy General Hospital, F-78303 Poissy, France; EA 2493, Versailles University of Medicine and Science, F-78000 Versailles, France. Electronic address: florenceboitrelle@yahoo.fr.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Boitrelle
authors.affiliation: Department of Reproductive Biology, Cytogenetics and Gynaecology, Poissy General Hospital, F-78303 Poissy, France; EA 2493, Versailles University of Medicine and Science, F-78000 Versailles, France.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Guthauser
authors.affiliation: Department of Reproductive Biology, Cytogenetics and Gynaecology, Poissy General Hospital, F-78303 Poissy, France; EA 2493, Versailles University of Medicine and Science, F-78000 Versailles, France.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Alter
authors.affiliation: Department of Reproductive Biology, Cytogenetics and Gynaecology, Poissy General Hospital, F-78303 Poissy, France; EA 2493, Versailles University of Medicine and Science, F-78000 Versailles, France.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bailly
authors.affiliation: Department of Reproductive Biology, Cytogenetics and Gynaecology, Poissy General Hospital, F-78303 Poissy, France; EA 2493, Versailles University of Medicine and Science, F-78000 Versailles, France.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bergere
authors.affiliation: Department of Reproductive Biology, Cytogenetics and Gynaecology, Poissy General Hospital, F-78303 Poissy, France; EA 2493, Versailles University of Medicine and Science, F-78000 Versailles, France.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Wainer
authors.affiliation: Department of Reproductive Biology, Cytogenetics and Gynaecology, Poissy General Hospital, F-78303 Poissy, France; EA 2493, Versailles University of Medicine and Science, F-78000 Versailles, France.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Vialard
authors.affiliation: Department of Reproductive Biology, Cytogenetics and Gynaecology, Poissy General Hospital, F-78303 Poissy, France; EA 2493, Versailles University of Medicine and Science, F-78000 Versailles, France.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Albert
authors.affiliation: Department of Reproductive Biology, Cytogenetics and Gynaecology, Poissy General Hospital, F-78303 Poissy, France; EA 2493, Versailles University of Medicine and Science, F-78000 Versailles, France.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Selva
mesh_terms: D010064:Embryo Implantation / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008857:Microscopy, Interference / Q000379:methods*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D020554:Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic / Q000379:methods*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000166:cytology*; D014617:Vacuoles / Q000473:pathology
keywords: IMSI; MSOME; human spermatozoa; outcome; pregnancy rate; vacuole