Transport intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI): a cost-effective alternative

Transport in vitro fertilization (IVF) programs are operational in a lot of countries and especially popular in The Netherlands, where IVF activities are strictly regulated. Since the introduction of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in the IVF laboratory, many laboratories are now setting up this new technique, which necessitates major investments in terms of infrastructure and specialized personnel.

We present a cost effective alternative, consisting of patient selection, preparation, and oocyte retrieval at one center and transport of oocytes to a second center, where the ICSI procedure and embryo transfer are performed. Since early 1994 several Dutch centers have a transport ICSI program running with the Gent University Infertility Center, and we wish to present the results of our cooperation with two major centers, comparing them to our local results, for the first 10 months of 1994. Patient selection was similar at all three centers: only couples with previously failed in vitro fertilization or having been refused for routine IVF were enrolled in the program. Stimulation schemes and follow-up of the stimulation were different at all three centers. Transport of oocytes was carried out in a transport box or by attaching the closed tubes containing the follicular aspirates to the chest of the husband. Transport times varied between 1.5 and 3 hr, depending on traffic conditions.

Up to November 1, 1994, a total of 77 transport ICSI cycles and 294 own ICSI cycles were carried out. Although locally significantly more oocytes were retrieved and thus available for ICSI than in transport cycles, fertilization and pregnancy rates were not different between the two groups.

These results suggest that long-distance transport of human oocytes seems not to be harmful to their capacity to be successfully injected and to further embryonic development and their implantation potential. Transport ICSI seems to be a valuable and cost-effective approach to treat high numbers of patients at a restricted number of highly specialized IVF laboratories, especially in countries where ICSI is not commonly available.