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Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics

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01-11-2012 | Technological Innovations

Sperm head vacuolization affects clinical outcome in ICSI cycle. A proposal of a cut-off value

Authors: Doriana Falagario, Anna Maria Brucculeri, Raffaella Depalo, Paolo Trerotoli, Ettore Cittadini, Giovanni Ruvolo

Published in: Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics | Issue 11/2012

Abstract

Objective

To evaluate the relationship between sperm nuclear vacuoles and sperm morphology and to investigate the influence of the rate of spermatozoa with head vacuolization (SVR) in a seminal sample on the clinical outcomes in couples undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection.

Materials

26 patients undergoing infertility investigations were included and were divided in two groups according to an SVR ≤ 20,28 % (Group A) or > 20,28 % (Group B), and were investigated to verify the influence of SVR on the fertilization rate, embryo quality, pregnancy and implantation rates.

Results

Abnormal spermatozoa with nuclear vacuoles were significantly higher (p < 0.001) than the percentage of normal spermatozoa with nuclear vacuoles. Patients in group A had a percentage of abnormal sperm with nuclear vacuole significantly lower compared to group B (p < 0,001), but there was no difference in the percentage of normal sperm with nuclear vacuoles. Fertilization rates and the number of top quality embryos did not differ between the two groups. The pregnancy and implantation rates were significantly higher in Group A compared to Group B (respectively p < 0,05 and p < 0.001).

Conclusions

For the first time, we propose a cut off value in the proportion of sperms with nuclear vacuolization on the total of sperm in seminal samples, and demonstrate a relationship between SNV and clinical outcomes after ICSI. The SNV rate could be introduced as an easy diagnostic evaluation prior to perform an ICSI cycle.

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Title: Sperm head vacuolization affects clinical outcome in ICSI cycle. A proposal of a cut-off value
Authors: Doriana Falagario
Anna Maria Brucculeri
Raffaella Depalo
Paolo Trerotoli
Ettore Cittadini
Giovanni Ruvolo
Publication date: 01-11-2012
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics / Issue 11/2012
Print ISSN: 1058-0468
Electronic ISSN: 1573-7330
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-012-9858-z

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Sperm head vacuolization affects clinical outcome in ICSI cycle. A proposal of a cut-off value

Abstract

Objective

Materials

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Objective

Materials

Results

Conclusions

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