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Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics

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01-10-2020 | Infertility | Reproductive Physiology and Disease

Association between early embryo morphokinetics plus transcript levels of sperm apoptotic genes and clinical outcomes in IMSI and ICSI cycles of male factor patients

Authors: Esmat Mangoli, Mohammad Ali Khalili, Ali Reza Talebi, Seyed Mehdi Kalantar, Fatemeh Montazeri, Azam Agharahimi, Bryan J Woodward

Published in: Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics | Issue 10/2020

Abstract

Purpose

The aim was to assess the correlation of sperm apoptotic transcript levels with cleavage stage embryokinetic and pregnancy outcomes of intracytoplasmic morphologically selected sperm injection (IMSI) and ICSI methods in patients with male factor infertility.

Material and methods

Eighty male factor cases were divided into ICSI and IMSI groups. ICSI was done routinely, and for IMSI, sperm was selected at high magnification and injected. On day 3, time-lapse parameters were evaluated, and the best embryos were transferred and followed to delivery. In addition, sperm DNA fragmentation and apoptotic transcript levels were quantified using reverse transcription Q-PCR between the groups.

Results

IMSI selected spermatozoa had lower DNA fragmentation and apoptotic transcript levels compared with ICSI (p < 0.0001). Moreover, all cytokinetic variables and cleavage abnormalities were noticeably different between groups (p < 0.0001); the rates of clinical outcomes were higher in the IMSI group. The transcript levels of Caspase 3 showed a moderate negative correlation with s2 and s3 (rs = − 0.57, P = 0.008 and rs = − 0.51, p = 0.021, respectively) in the IMSI group. However, there was no relationship between sperm apoptotic transcript levels and clinical outcomes in two groups.

Conclusions

Sperms selected at high magnification showed lower DNA fragmentation and apoptosis genes transcript. Also, better embryo kinetics and clinical outcomes were confirmed in IMSI than ICSI groups. Some time-lapse parameters may be associated with transcript levels of apoptosis genes. Therefore, these noninvasive techniques may be unique in assisting couples with male factor infertility.

Trial registration

This trial retrospectively registered on 4 July 2020 (IRCT20180130038561N1).

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Title: Association between early embryo morphokinetics plus transcript levels of sperm apoptotic genes and clinical outcomes in IMSI and ICSI cycles of male factor patients
Authors: Esmat Mangoli
Mohammad Ali Khalili
Ali Reza Talebi
Seyed Mehdi Kalantar
Fatemeh Montazeri
Azam Agharahimi
Bryan J Woodward
Publication date: 01-10-2020
Publisher: Springer US
Keywords: Infertility
ICSI
Infertility
Published in: Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics / Issue 10/2020
Print ISSN: 1058-0468
Electronic ISSN: 1573-7330
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-020-01910-7

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Association between early embryo morphokinetics plus transcript levels of sperm apoptotic genes and clinical outcomes in IMSI and ICSI cycles of male factor patients

Abstract

Purpose

Material and methods

Results

Conclusions

Trial registration

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Material and methods

Results

Conclusions

Trial registration

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