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Efficiency of hyaluronic acid (HA) sperm selection
Lodovico Parmegiani1, Graciela Estela Cognigni, Walter Ciampaglia
1Reproductive Medicine Unit-GynePro Medical Centers, GynePro Medical, Via T. Cremona, 8-40137, Bologna, Italy. l.parmegiani@gynepro.it
Purpose:
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.
