The Pre-Catching Sperm Technique Increases the Efficiency of the Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection Method by Improving...

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Medicine
• Embryology
• In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)

Background:

• Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is a key technique in assisted reproduction.
• Conventional ICSI involves simultaneous handling of sperm and oocytes, potentially increasing oocyte exposure time.
• Optimizing ICSI protocols is crucial for improving fertilization and pregnancy outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the efficacy of a novel pre-catching sperm (PCS)-ICSI technique against conventional ICSI.
• To evaluate the impact of PCS-ICSI on oocyte fertilization, degeneration, blastocyst formation, and pregnancy rates.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective cohort study comparing 330 PCS-ICSI cases with 287 conventional ICSI cases.
• Inclusion criteria: at least 0.5 million motile sperm and 5 mature oocytes.
• PCS-ICSI immobilizes and prepares sperm before oocyte loading, reducing oocyte exposure time.

Main Results:

• PCS-ICSI showed significantly higher oocyte fertilization rates (84.0% vs. 79.3%, p < 0.001).
• PCS-ICSI resulted in increased good quality blastocyst formation (54.9% vs. 48.0%, p < 0.001).
• PCS-ICSI demonstrated a lower rate of oocyte degeneration (1.4% vs. 3.5%, p < 0.001).

Conclusions:

• The PCS-ICSI technique enhances oocyte fertilization and good quality blastocyst development.
• PCS-ICSI effectively reduces oocyte degeneration compared to conventional ICSI.
• Further research is warranted to assess PCS-ICSI in diverse patient populations.