Correlation of Sperm Function Tests and Fertilization Rates in Conventional IVF and ICSI

Oum, K B; Kim, H G; Lee, J H; Ha, J H; Kwak, I P; Yoon, T K; Cha, K Y

Abstract

We compared the results of three different sperm function test ie., sperm morphology test, hypoosmotic test, acridine orange test and the fertilization rates of IVF and ICSI to evaluate whether the sperm tests correlate with the fertilization rates of IVF and ICSI. In normal sperm morphology 0~4%, the fertilization rates of IVF and ICSI were 5.6%[3/54] and 64.3% [27/42], respectively. In normal sperm morphology 5~14%, the fertilization rates of IVF and ICSI were 43.0%[40/93] and 70.0%[49/70], respectively. There was a significant difference in the IVF fertilization rates in normal morphology 0~4% and 5~14% groups, however no difference was found in the ICSI fertilization rates according to the morphology. In HOS test, the IVF fertilization rates in low and high HOS value were 31.5% and 28.0%, respectively, and no difference was found in the fertilization rates when ICSI was employed according to the HOS value. However, if we compare the IVF and ICSI fertilization rates, significant differences were found. In high[> or = 60%] and low[<60%] AO value groups, the IVF fertilization rates were generally low[23.1 and 29.9, respectively], but higher fertilization rates were achieved in ICSI groups[69.9 and 67.4%, respectively]. No difference was found in the fertilization rates of IVF and ICSI according to AO value, but significant differences were found if we compare the IVF and ICSI fertilization rates. Our results showed that only sperm morphology scoring could predict the IVF fertilization rate, and no sperm characteristics could affect the ICSI fertilization rate.