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Deposition of the spermatozoon in the human oocyte at ICSI: impact on oocyte survival, fertilization and blastocyst formation

  • Gamete Biology
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose

To evaluate whether the deposition of the spermatozoon in the human oocyte at ICSI has any effect on oocyte survival, fertilization, blastocyst development and quality.

Methods

In a prospective study, including 78 ICSI cycles, sibling oocytes were injected with “no intention” (group A, standard ICSI, n = 393) or “intention” to deposit the spermatozoon under the cortex (group B, n = 354). Outcome parameters were oocyte survival and fertilization, as well as blastocyst formation and quality.

Results

Depositing the sperm under the cortex of the oocyte was not always successful for its final position, therefore, group B was divided into three subgroups: B1 successful deposition (119 oocytes, 33.6 % of oocytes in group B); B2 initially successful but spermatozoon spontaneously relocated after 2 min (136 oocytes, 38.4 %); and B3 unsuccessful deposition (99 oocytes, 28.0 %). Group A and B were compared on an intention-to-treat basis. Additionally, A, B1, B2 and B3 were also compared. The oocyte survival and fertilization, blastocyst and top-quality blastocyst developmental rates were not significantly different.

Conclusions

The procedure of depositing the spermatozoon intentionally under the oocyte cortex demanded high technical skills. Successful positioning was only obtained in 34 % of the attempts. We obtained no evidence of improved oocyte survival and fertilization, blastocyst formation and quality when the spermatozoon was permanently positioned under the oocyte cortex. Taken together, depositing the spermatozoon under the oocyte cortex is not recommended for routine ICSI application.

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Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank the laboratory, clinical and paramedical team of the Centre for Reproductive Medicine.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Reproductive Medicine, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 101, 1090, Brussels, Belgium

    A. De Vos, M. Abraham, N. Franceus, H. Tournaye, G. Verheyen & H. Van de Velde

  2. Centre for Outcomes Research and Laboratory for Experimental Surgery, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 101, 1090, Brussels, Belgium

    P. Haentjens

Authors
  1. A. De Vos
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  2. M. Abraham
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  3. N. Franceus
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  4. P. Haentjens
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  5. H. Tournaye
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  6. G. Verheyen
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  7. H. Van de Velde
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Correspondence to A. De Vos.

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Capsule

Spermatozoon deposition under the human oocyte cortex at ICSI did not improve oocyte survival and fertilization, nor blastocyst formation and quality.

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De Vos, A., Abraham, M., Franceus, N. et al. Deposition of the spermatozoon in the human oocyte at ICSI: impact on oocyte survival, fertilization and blastocyst formation. J Assist Reprod Genet 32, 865–871 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-015-0482-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-015-0482-6

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