Skip to main content
Log in

Short gamete co-incubation during in vitro fertilization decreases the fertilization rate and does not improve embryo quality: a prospective auto controlled study

  • Assisted Reproduction
  • Published:
Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

Evaluate the effect of short gamete incubation on fertilization rate and embryo quality.

Methods

A prospective study has been performed. Two thousand five hundred and forty seven sibling oocytes from 240 couples undergoing IVF attempts were allocated to a short (1 h) or a standard (18 h) insemination procedure. Diploid fertilization rate (two pronuclei, 2PN), polyspermy (>2PN) and embryo quality were compared.

Results

The fertilization rate was statistically lower in the short insemination group compared to the standard insemination one (64.9% and 70.1%; P = 0.039), with a similar polyspermy rate observed between the two groups. A slight, but non significant, increase was observed concerning good embryo quality rate in the short insemination group when compared to the standard insemination, both at day 2 (60.1 vs. 58.1%; P = 0.06) and day 3 (53.2 vs. 48.5%; P = 0.22).

Conclusion

This new study highlights that a 1 h gamete exposure decreases the fertilization rate and does not improve embryo quality compared with a standard 18 h insemination procedure.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Wassarman PM. The biology and chemistry of fertilization. Science. 1987;235:553–60. doi:10.1126/science.3027891.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Wassarman PM. Fertilization in mammals. Sci Am. 1988;259:78–84.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Gianaroli L, Cristina Magli M, Ferraretti AP, Fiorentino A, Tosti E, Panzella S, et al. Reducing the time of sperm–oocyte interaction in human in-vitro fertilization improves the implantation rate. Hum Reprod. 1996;11:166–71.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Gianaroli L, Fiorentino A, Magli MC, Ferraretti AP, Montanaro N. Prolonged sperm–oocyte exposure and high sperm concentration affect human embryo viability and pregnancy rate. Hum Reprod. 1996;11:2507–11.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Plachot M, Junca AM, Mandelbaum J, Cohen J, Salat-Baroux J, Da Lage C. Timing of in-vitro fertilization of cumulus-free and cumulus-enclosed human oocytes. Hum Reprod. 1986;1:237–42.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Aitken RJ, Clarkson JS. Cellular basis of defective sperm function and its association with the genesis of reactive oxygen species by human spermatozoa. J Reprod Fertil. 1987;81:459–9. doi:10.1530/jrf.0.0810459.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Aitken RJ. A free radical theory of male infertility. Reprod Fertil Dev. 1994;6:19–23. discussion 23–4. doi:10.1071/RD9940019

  8. Twigg J, Fulton N, Gomez E, Irvine DS, Aitken RJ. Analysis of the impact of intracellular reactive oxygen species generation on the structural and functional integrity of human spermatozoa: lipid peroxidation, DNA fragmentation and effectiveness of antioxidants. Hum Reprod. 1998;13:1429–36. doi:10.1093/humrep/13.6.1429.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Nasr-Esfahani M, Johnson MH, Aitken RJ. The effect of iron and iron chelators on the in-vitro block to development of the mouse preimplantation embryo: BAT6 a new medium for improved culture of mouse embryos in vitro. Hum Reprod. 1990;5:997–1003.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Dirnfeld M, Bider D, Koifman M, Calderon I, Abramovici H. Shortened exposure of oocytes to spermatozoa improves in-vitro fertilization outcome: a prospective, randomized, controlled study. Hum Reprod. 1999;14:2562–4. doi:10.1093/humrep/14.10.2562.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Kattera S, Chen C. Short coincubation of gametes in in vitro fertilization improves implantation and pregnancy rates: a prospective, randomized, controlled study. Fertil Steril. 2003;80:1017–21. doi:10.1016/S0015-0282(03)01154-3.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Coskun S, Roca GL, Elnour AM, al Mayman H, Hollanders JM, Jaroudi KA. Effects of reducing insemination time in human in vitro fertilization and embryo development by using sibling oocytes. J Assist Reprod Genet. 1998;15:605–8. doi:10.1023/A:1020333427698.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Lin SP, Lee RK, Su JT, Lin MH, Hwu YM. The effects of brief gamete co-incubation in human in vitro fertilization. J Assist Reprod Genet. 2000;17:344–8. doi:10.1023/A:1009409229068.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Lundqvist M, Johansson U, Lundkvist O, Milton K, Westin C, Simberg N. Reducing the time of co-incubation of gametes in human in-vitro fertilization has no beneficial effects. Reprod Biomed Online. 2001;3:21–4.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Swenson K, Check JH, Summers-Chase D, Choe JK, Check ML. A randomized study comparing the effect of standard versus short incubation of sperm and oocyte on subsequent pregnancy and implantation rates following in vitro fertilization embryo transfer. Arch Androl. 2000;45:73–6. doi:10.1080/014850100410042.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Bungum M, Bungum L, Humaidan P. A prospective study, using sibling oocytes, examining the effect of 30 seconds versus 90 minutes gamete co-incubation in IVF. Hum Reprod. 2006;21:518–23. doi:10.1093/humrep/dei350.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. WHO. WHO laboratory manual for examination of human semen and semen-cervical mucus interaction. Cambridge University Press 1999; Cambridge:UK

  18. Sifer C, Sasportes T, Barraud V, Poncelet C, Rudant J, Porcher R, et al. World Health Organization grade ‘a’ motility and zona-binding test accurately predict IVF outcome for mild male factor and unexplained infertilities. Hum Reprod. 2005;20:2769–75. doi:10.1093/humrep/dei118.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Plachot M, Belaisch-Allart J, Mayenga JM, Chouraqui A, Tesquier L, Serkine AM. Outcome of conventional IVF and ICSI on sibling oocytes in mild male factor infertility. Hum Reprod. 2002;17:362–9. doi:10.1093/humrep/17.2.362.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Tournaye H, Verheyen G, Albano C, Camus M, Van Landuyt L, Devroey P, et al. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection versus in vitro fertilization: a randomized controlled trial and a meta-analysis of the literature. Fertil Steril. 2002;78:1030–7. doi:10.1016/S0015-0282(02)03377-0.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Hu FB, Goldberg J, Hedeker D, Flay BR, Pentz MA. Comparison of population-averaged and subject-specific approaches for analyzing repeated binary outcomes. Am J Epidemiol. 1998;147:694–703.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Quinn P, Lydic ML, Ho M, Bastuba M, Hendee F, Brody SA. Confirmation of the beneficial effects of brief coincubation of gametes in human in vitro fertilization. Fertil Steril. 1998;69:399–402. doi:10.1016/S0015-0282(97)00576-1.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to V. Barraud-Lange.

Additional information

Capsule This study highlights that a 1 h gamete exposure decreases the fertilization rate and does not improve embryo quality compared with a standard 18 h insemination procedure.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Barraud-Lange, V., Sifer, C., Pocaté, K. et al. Short gamete co-incubation during in vitro fertilization decreases the fertilization rate and does not improve embryo quality: a prospective auto controlled study. J Assist Reprod Genet 25, 305–310 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-008-9240-3

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-008-9240-3

Keywords

Navigation