The effects of sperm quality on embryo development after intracytoplasmic sperm injection

To explore the possible relationship between sperm quality and embryo development, pregnancy and implantation rates, in patients undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).

Fertilization and cleavage rates, quality of embryos, blastocyst development, pregnancy and implantation rates were analyzed in 1020 embryos from 219 couples undergoing first ICSI treatment cycle. The couples were allocated in five groups, according to semen parameters: Group 1: patients with normal semen parameters, Group 2: patients with mild oligo-astheno-teratozoospermia, Group 3: patients with severe oligo-astheno-teratozoospermia, Group 4: patients with obstructive azoospermia, Group 5: patients with non-obstructive azoospermia.

Fertilization and cleavage rates, quality of embryos as well as blastocyst development rates were significantly reduced, as semen quality decreased. However, no significant differences were observed in clinical pregnancy and implantation rates.

Overall, a negative relationship was observed between semen quality and embryo development, even before activation of the embryonic genome, suggesting that sperm can affect embryogenesis from a very early stage.