Transport-in-vitro fertilization/intracellular sperm injection: a prospective randomized study

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Medicine
• Clinical Embryology
• Infertility Treatment

Background:

• Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is a common assisted reproductive technology for treating male infertility.
• The logistics of ICSI cycles can involve transporting gametes or embryos between facilities.
• The impact of long-distance oocyte transport on subsequent ICSI outcomes is not well-established.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effect of long-distance oocyte transport on fertilization rates, embryo quality, and implantation rates in ICSI cycles.
• To compare outcomes between immediate ICSI procedures and those involving oocyte transport.

Main Methods:

• A prospective randomized clinical trial involving 100 infertile couples undergoing ICSI.
• Group 1: Oocyte retrieval, ICSI, and embryo transfer in the same location (Gent, Belgium).
• Group 2: Oocyte retrieval in Rotterdam (Netherlands) with transport to Gent for ICSI and embryo transfer.

Main Results:

• No significant differences in fertilization rates (P=0.08) or embryo implantation rates (P=0.89) between groups.
• Group 1 (no transport) had significantly higher numbers of retrieved oocytes (P=0.05) and superior embryo quality, including total score (P=0.01), number of good quality embryos (P=0.02), and embryos for cryopreservation (P=0.03).
• Mean score of transferred embryos was also higher in Group 1 (P=0.05).

Conclusions:

• Long-distance oocyte transport prior to ICSI does not adversely affect oocyte fertilization or embryo implantation rates.
• A potential negative impact on embryo quality, including total score, good quality embryos, and cryopreservation potential, cannot be excluded with oocyte transport.
• These findings suggest that while fertilization and implantation are preserved, embryo developmental potential may be compromised by oocyte transport.