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Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics

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01-04-2018 | Gamete Biology

Sperm telomere length in donor samples is not related to ICSI outcome

Authors: Marc Torra-Massana, Montserrat Barragán, Emanuela Bellu, Rafael Oliva, Amelia Rodríguez, Rita Vassena

Published in: Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics | Issue 4/2018

Abstract

Purpose

Variations in sperm telomere length (STL) have been associated with altered sperm parameters, poor embryo quality, and lower pregnancy rates, but for normozoospermic men, STL relevance in IVF/ICSI is still uncertain. Moreover, in all studies reported so far, each man’s STL was linked to the corresponding female partner characteristics. Here, we study STL in sperm donor samples, each used for up to 12 women, in order to isolate and determine the relationship between STL and reproductive outcomes.

Methods

Relative STL was determined by qPCR in 60 samples used in a total of 676 ICSI cycles. Univariable and multivariable statistical analyses were used to study the STL effect on fertilization rate; embryo morphology; biochemical, clinical, and ongoing pregnancy rates; and live birth (LB) rates.

Results

The average STL value was 4.5 (relative units; SD 1.9; range 2.4–14.2). Locally weighted scatterplot smoothing regression and the rho-Spearman test did not reveal significant correlations between STL and the outcomes analyzed. STL was not different between cycles resulting or not in pregnancy and LB (Mann-Whitney U test, p > 0.05). No significant effect of STL on reproductive outcomes was found, with the OR for each unit increase in STL (95% CI) of 0.94 (0.86–1–04), 0.99 (0.9–1.09), 0.98 (0.89–1.09), and 0.93 (0.8–1.06) for biochemical, clinical, and ongoing pregnancy and LB, respectively. The multilevel analysis confirmed that the effect of STL on fertilization; biochemical, clinical, and ongoing pregnancy; and LB was not significant (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

After addressing STL independently from female variables, results show that STL measurement is not useful to predict reproductive outcomes in ICSI cycles using donor semen.

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Title: Sperm telomere length in donor samples is not related to ICSI outcome
Authors: Marc Torra-Massana
Montserrat Barragán
Emanuela Bellu
Rafael Oliva
Amelia Rodríguez
Rita Vassena
Publication date: 01-04-2018
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics / Issue 4/2018
Print ISSN: 1058-0468
Electronic ISSN: 1573-7330
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-017-1104-2

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Sperm telomere length in donor samples is not related to ICSI outcome

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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