Are sperm parameters able to predict the success of assisted reproductive technology? A retrospective analysis of over 22,000 assisted reproductive technology cycles

Abstract

Background: An explosive increase in couples attending assisted reproductive technology has been recently observed, despite an overall success rate of about 20%-30%.Considering the assisted reproductive technology-related economic and psycho-social costs, the improvement of these percentages is extremely relevant. However, in the identification of predictive markers of assisted reproductive technology success, male parameters are largely underestimated so far. Study design: Retrospective, observational study.Objectives: To evaluate whether conventional semen parameters could predict assisted reproductive technology success. Materials and methods:All couples attending a single third-level fertility center from 1992 to 2020 were retrospectively enrolled, collecting all semen and assisted reproductive technology parameters of fresh cycles. Fertilization rate was the primary end-point, representing a parameter immediately dependent on male contribution. Pregnancy and live birth rates were considered in relation to semen variables. Statistical analyses were performed using the parameters obtained according to the World Health Organization manual editions used for semen analysis.Results: Note that, 22,013 in vitro fertilization and intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles were considered. Overall, fertilization rate was significantly lower in patients with abnormal semen parameters compared to normozoospermic men, irrespective of the World Health Organization manual edition. In the in vitro fertilization setting, both progressive motility (p = 0.012) and motility after capacitation (p = 0.002) significantly predicted the fertilization rate (statistical accuracy = 71.1%). Sperm motilities also predicted pregnancy (p < 0.001) and live birth (p = 0.001) rates. In intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles, sperm morphology predicted fertilization rate (p = 0.001, statistical accuracy = 90.3%). Sperm morphology significantly predicted bothThis is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Semen Analysis and Infertility

“…Therefore, in teratozoospermia without other sperm abnormalities, the couple should not be excluded from the process of intrauterine insemination. In contrast, in a retrospective study in 22,000 assisted reproductive technologies cycles, there was a predictive value of sperm morphology with fertilization rate, clinical pregnancy rate, and live birth rate [72].…”

Investigate the effect of COVID‐19 inactivated vaccine on sperm parameters and embryo quality in in vitro fertilization

“…In the IVF setting, both progressive motility and motility after capacitation significantly predicted the fertilization rate. Sperm motilities also predicted pregnancy and live birth rates (Villani et al, 2021 ). A recently published study assessed sperm parameters before and after COVID‐19 mRNA vaccine administration, and there was no significant decreases in any sperm parameters after vaccination.…”

Opportunities and Limits of Conventional IVF versus ICSI: It Is Time to Come off the Fence

“…Sperm quality is considered decisive to ensure favorable c-IVF results [ 101 ]. In a retrospective study from Villani et al, sperm motility positively predicted the occurrence of fertilization (statistical accuracy = 71.1%), pregnancy and live birth rates in couples treated with c-IVF [ 102 ]. Moreover, the total number of spermatozoa in the ejaculate and the concentration of cells are strictly related to pregnancy rates and, therefore, considered predictors of conception [ 103 ].…”