Artificial oocyte activation with calcium ionophore A23187 in intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles using surgically retrieved spermatozoa
Received 7 March 2008; received in revised form 21 April 2008; accepted 21 April 2008. published online 11 August 2008.
Objective
To evaluate the effect of artificial oocyte activation (AOA) on intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles using surgically retrieved sperm.
Design
Laboratory study.
Setting
Fertility/assisted fertilization center.
Patient(s)
Couples undergoing surgical sperm retrieval for ICSI (n = 204).
Intervention(s)
Application of calcium ionophore A23187 for AOA.
Main Outcome Measure(s)
Cycles were divided into experimental groups according to the origin of the sperm used for injection and the type of azoospermia: [1] testicular sperm aspiration in nonobstructive-azoospermic patients (TESA-NOA group, n = 58), [2] TESA in obstructive-azoospermic patients (TESA-OA group, n = 48), [3] and percutaneous epididymal sperm aspiration in obstructive-azoospermic patients (PESA-OA, n = 98). For each experimental group, cycles where AOA was applied (subgroup: activation) were compared with cycles in which AOA was not applied (subgroup: control). The fertilization, high-quality embryo, implantation, and pregnancy rates were compared among the subgroups.
Result(s)
For patients undergoing TESA, AOA did not improve ICSI outcomes for either type of azoospermia. However, for cases in which the injected sperm were retrieved from the epididymis, a statistically significantly increased rate of high-quality embryos was observed with AOA.
Conclusion(s)
Artificial oocyte activation may improve ICSI outcomes in azoospermic patients when epididymal, but not testicular spermatozoa, are injected.
cDepartment of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Botucatu Medical School/UNESP Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
dCentre for Human Reproduction, Riberião preto, São Paulo, Brazil
ePost Graduation Program, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Botucatu Medical School/UNESP Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
Reprint requests: Edson Borges, Jr., M.D., Ph.D., Fertility–Assisted Fertilization Center and Sapientiae Institute Clinical, Av. Brigadeiro Luis Antonio 4545, 01401-002 São Paulo, Brazil (FAX: 55-11-38859858).
E.B. has nothing to disclose. D.P.F.B. has nothing to disclose. T.C.B. has nothing to disclose. A.I. has nothing to disclose. J.G.F. has nothing to disclose.
ABSTRACT