Can calcium ionophore "use" in patients with diminished ovarian reserve increase fertilization and pregnancy rates? A randomized, controlled study.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether calcium ionophore solution can improve the fertilization rate in patients with diminished ovarian reserve whose partners have normal sperm parameters.


METHODS
Between January 2014 and August 2014, patients with diminished ovarian reserve were randomized to make artificial oocyte activation with calcium ionophore solution.


METHODS
University hospital.


METHODS
A total of 296 patients who had diminished ovarian reserve and partners with normal sperm parameters were included in the study.


METHODS
Metaphase 2 oocytes were treated with calcium ionophore solution (GM508 Cult-Active) for 15 minutes just after intracytoplasmic sperm injection.


METHODS
Fertilization rate, implantation rate, clinical pregnancy rate, ongoing pregnancy rate.


RESULTS
Fertilization, implantation, pregnancy, and ongoing pregnancy rates for the calcium ionophore and control groups were 60.7% and 55.4%, 12.8% and 10.7%, 21% and 12.8%, and 10.9% and 6.1%, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
This is the first prospective, randomized, controlled study to analyze the effect of calcium ionophore solution on fertilization rate in patients with diminished ovarian reserve. We did not observe any differences in fertilization, clinical pregnancy, or ongoing pregnancy rates between the groups. We propose that fertilization ratios could not be increased by artificial oocyte activation via application of calcium ionophore solution in patients with diminished ovarian reserve.


BACKGROUND
NCT02045914.
Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and IVF Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Baskent University, Adana, Turkey. Electronic address: pinarcag1976@yahoo.com.
Pinar
P
Caglar Aytac
Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and IVF Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Baskent University, Adana, Turkey.
Esra Bulgan
EB
Kilicdag
Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and IVF Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Baskent University, Adana, Turkey.
Bulent
B
Haydardedeoglu
Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and IVF Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Baskent University, Adana, Turkey.
Erhan
E
Simsek
Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and IVF Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Baskent University, Adana, Turkey.
Tayfun
T
Cok
Division of Perinatology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Baskent University, Adana, Turkey.
Huriye Ayse
HA
Parlakgumus
D000328:Adult; D061207:Calcium Ionophores / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010064:Embryo Implantation; D005260:Female; D005300:Fertility Agents, Female / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D009865:Oocytes / Q000187:drug effects*; D065851:Ovarian Reserve / Q000187:drug effects*; D010053:Ovary / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020554:Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic / Q000009:adverse effects; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014421:Turkey
D061207:Calcium Ionophores; D005300:Fertility Agents, Female
Calcium ionophore; ICSI; diminished ovarian reserve; fertilization failure