Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Clinical Assisted Reproduction: Performing ICSI Using an Injection Pipette with the Smallest Possible Inner Diameter and a Long Taper Increases Normal Fertilization Rate, Decreases Incidence of Degeneration and Tripronuclear Zygotes, and Enhances Embryo Development

Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose: To compare the efficacy of two types of injection pipette used for ICSI, one with a larger (5–7 μm) inner diameter and a shorter taper with that inner diameter, and another with the smallest (3–5 μm) possible inner diameter and a longer taper with that inner diameter.

Methods: Retrieved oocytes at metaphase II stage were injected using one of two types of injection pipette, in 33 and 94 cycles, respectively, in a total of 127 cycles in 108 patients.

Results: In comparison to the injection pipette with a larger (5–7 μm) inner diameter and a shorter taper with that inner diameter, the injection pipette with the smallest (3–5 μm) possible inner diameter and a longer taper with that inner diameter increased normal fertilization rate ((70 ± 3.6)% vs. (86 ± 2.2)%; P = .001; mean ± SEM); decreased the incidence of degeneration ((14 ± 2.4)% vs. (5 ± 1.4)%; P = .001) and tripronuclear zygotes ((1.0 ± 0.35)% vs. (0.1 ± 0.21)%; P = .03); increased Day-2 diploid embryos ((69 ± 3.7)% vs. (85 ± 2.2)%; P = .001) and good-quality Day-2 diploid embryos ((67 ± 4.0)% vs. (79 ± 2.4)%; P = .03), all per injected oocyte; and increased the number of blastomeres per good-quality Day-2 diploid embryo ((3.0 ± 0.21 vs. 3.8 ± 0.12; P = .0003).

Conclusions: Performing ICSI using an injection pipette with the smallest (3–5 μm) possible inner diameter and a longer taper with thatn inner diameter maximizes normal fertilization rate, minimizes the incidence of postinjection degeneration and tripronuclear zygotes, and enhances embryo development.

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

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price includes VAT (France)

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

REFERENCES

  1. Palermo G, Joris H, Devroey P, Van Steirteghem AC: Pregnancies after intracytoplasmic injection of single spermatozoon into an oocyte. Lancet 1992;340:17-18

    Google Scholar 

  2. Dozortsev D, De Sutter P, Dhont M: Behaviour of spermatozoa in human oocytes displaying no or one pronucleus after intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Hum Reprod 1994;9:2139-2144

    Google Scholar 

  3. Dozortsev D, Rybouchkin A, De Sutter P, Dhont M: Sperm plasma membrane damage prior to intracytoplasmic sperm injection: A necessary condition for sperm nucleus decondensation. Hum Reprod 1995;10:2960-2964

    Google Scholar 

  4. Gerris J, Mangelschots K, Van Royen E, Joostens M, Eestermans W, Ryckaert G: ICSI and severe male-factor infertility: Breaking the sperm tail prior to injection. Hum Reprod 1995;10:484-486

    Google Scholar 

  5. Van den Bergh M, Bertrand E, Govaerts I, Koenig I, Biramane J, Englert Y: Preclinical trials for mastering intracytoplasmic injection of a sole spermatozoid for the treatment of male infertility. Contracept Fertil Sex 1995;23:393-398

    Google Scholar 

  6. Van den Bergh M, Bertrand E, Biramane J, Englert Y: Importance of breaking a spermatozoon's tail before intracytoplasmic injection: A prospective randomized trial. Hum Reprod 1995;10:2819-2820

    Google Scholar 

  7. Vanderzwalmen P, Bertin G, Lejeune B, Nijs M, Vandamme B, Schoysman R: Two essential steps for a successful intracytoplasmic sperm injection: Injection of immobilized spermatozoa after rupture of the oolemma. Hum Reprod 1996;11:540-547

    Google Scholar 

  8. Swann K, Homa S, Carroll J: An inside job: The results of injecting whole sperm into eggs supports one view of signal transduction at fertilization. Hum Reprod 1994;9:978-980

    Google Scholar 

  9. Dozortsev D, Rybouchkin A, De Sutter P, Qian C, Dhont M: Human oocyte activation following intracytoplasmic injection: The role of the sperm cell. Hum Reprod 1995;10:403-407

    Google Scholar 

  10. Dozortsev D, Qian C, Ermilov A, Rybouchkin A, De Sutter P, Dhont M: Sperm-associated oocyte-activating factor is released from the spermatozoon within 30 minutes after injection as a result of the sperm-oocyte interaction. Hum Reprod 1997;12:2792-2796

    Google Scholar 

  11. McLachlan RI, Fuscaldo G, Rho H, Poulos C, Dalrymple J, Jackson P, Holden CA: Clinical results from intracytoplasmic sperm injection at Monash IVF. Reprod Fertil Dev 1995;7:247-253

    Google Scholar 

  12. Carrillo AJ, Atiee SH, Lane B, Pridham DD, Risch P, Silverman IH, Cook CL: Oolemma rupture inside the intracytoplasmic sperm injection needle significantly improves the fertilization rate and reduces oocyte damage. Fertil Steril 1998;70:676-679

    Google Scholar 

  13. Yavas Y, Roberge S: ICSI technique-impact on fertilization rate. Fertil Steril 1999;71:1165 (letter)

    Google Scholar 

  14. Hoshi K, Yanagida K, Yazawa H, Katayose H, Sato A: Intracytoplasmic sperm injection using immobilized or motile human spermatozoon. Fertil Steril 1995;63:1241-1245

    Google Scholar 

  15. Tesarik J, Sousa M: Key elements of a highly efficient intracytoplasmic sperm injection technique: Ca2+fluxes and oocyte cytoplasmic dislocation. Fertil Steril 1995;64:770-776

    Google Scholar 

  16. Jun JH, Lim CK, Kim JW, Son IP, Koong MK, Song IO, Song JH, Yoo KJ, Kang IS: Comparison of fertilization and embryonic development between conventional insemination and ICSI treatment in the sibling oocytes of non-male factor infertility. Ann Meet Am Soc Reprod Med 1999;72(Program Suppl):S6 (abstract no. O-014)

    Google Scholar 

  17. Khamsi F, Yavas Y, Roberge S, Wong JC, Lacanna IC, Endman M: Intracytoplasmic sperm injection increased fertilization and good-quality embryo formation in patients with non-male factor indications for in vitro fertilization: A prospective randomized study. Fertil Steril 2001;75:342-347

    Google Scholar 

  18. Aboulghar MA, Mansour RT, Serour GI, Sattar MA, Amin YM: Intracytoplasmic sperm injection and conventional in vitro fertilization for sibling oocytes in cases of unexplained infertility and borderline semen. J Assist Reprod Genet 1996;13:38-42

    Google Scholar 

  19. Ruiz A, Remohi J, Minguez Y, Guanes PP, Simon C, Pellicer A: The role of in vitro fertilization and intracytoplasmic sperm injection in couples with unexplained infertility after failed intrauterine insemination. Fertil Steril 1997;68:171-173

    Google Scholar 

  20. Staessen C, Camus M, Clasen K, De Vos A, Van Steirteghem A: Conventional in-vitro fertilization versus intracytoplasmic sperm injection in sibling oocytes from couples with tubal infertility and normozoospermic semen. Hum Reprod 1999;14:2474-2479

    Google Scholar 

  21. Khamsi F, Lacanna I, Endman M, Wong J: Recent advances in assisted reproductive technologies. Endocrine 1998;9:15-25

    Google Scholar 

  22. Thomas GB Jr: Calculus. Cambridge, MA, Addison-Wesley, 1953

    Google Scholar 

  23. SAS: Statistical Analysis System. SAS/STATUser's Guide, 6.03 edn. Cary, NC, SAS Institute, Inc., 1988

    Google Scholar 

  24. World Health Organization: WHO Laboratory Manual for the Examination of Human Semen and Sperm-Cervical Mucus Interaction, 4th edn. Cambridge, UK, Cambridge University Press, 1999

    Google Scholar 

  25. Moon SY, Kim SH, Jung BJ, Jee BC, Suh CS, Lee JY: Influence of female age on pregnancy outcome in in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer patients undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection. J Obstet Gynaecol Res 2000;26:49-54

    Google Scholar 

  26. Shibahara H, Hamada Y, Hasegawa A, Wakimoto E, Toji H, Shigeta M, Koyama K: Relationship between the sperm motility index assessed by the sperm quality analyzer and the outcome of intracytoplasmic sperm injection. J Assist Reprod Genet 1999;16:540-545

    Google Scholar 

  27. Flaherty SP, Payne D, Swann NJ, Matthews CD: Assessment of fertilization failure and abnormal fertilization after intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Reprod Fertil Dev 1995;7:197-210

    Google Scholar 

  28. Flaherty SP, Payne D, Swann NJ, Matthews CD: Aetiology of failed and abnormal fertilization after intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Hum Reprod 1995;10:2623-2629

    Google Scholar 

  29. Dubey AK, Penzias AS, Reindollar RH, Ducibella T: Technical and physiological aspects associated with the lower fertilization following intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Theriogenology 1998;49:33-41

    Google Scholar 

  30. Cho YS, Traina V, Boyer P: Development of a successful ICSI programme without the use of PVP. Hum Reprod 1997;12:1116 (letter)

    Google Scholar 

  31. Leybaert L, Depypere HT, Dhont M, de Hemptinne A: Changes of intracellular free calcium during intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Mol Reprod Dev 1996;43:256-260

    Google Scholar 

  32. Polcz TE, Olive DL, Jones EE: Improving the intracytoplasmic sperm injection technique by transmembrane electric potential monitoring. Fertil Steril 1997;68:735-738

    Google Scholar 

  33. Hardarson T, Lundin K, Hamberger L: The position of the metaphase II spindle cannot be predicted by the location of the first polar body in the human oocyte. Hum Reprod 2000;15:1372-1376

    Google Scholar 

  34. Wang WH, Meng L, Hackett RJ, Odenbourg R, Keefe DL: The spindle observation and its relationship with fertilization after intracytoplasmic sperm injection in living human oocytes. Fertil Steril 2001;75:348-353

    Google Scholar 

  35. Schwartz P, Magerkurth C, Michelmann HW: Scanning electron microscopy of the zona pellucida of human oocytes during intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Hum Reprod 1996;11:2693-2696

    Google Scholar 

  36. Mansour RT, Aboulghar MA, Serour GI, Tawab NA, Amin Y, Sattar MA: Successful intracytoplasmic sperm injection without performing cytoplasmic aspiration. Fertil Steril 1996;66:256-259

    Google Scholar 

  37. Veeck LL: An Atlas of Human Gametes and Conceptuses. New York, Parthenon Publishing Group, 1999

    Google Scholar 

  38. Strehler E, Baccetti B, Sterzik K, Capitani S, Collodel G, De Santo M, Gambera L, Piomboni P: Detrimental effects of polyvinylpyrrolidone on the ultrastructure of spermatozoa (Notulae seminologicae 13). Hum Reprod 1998;13:120-123

    Google Scholar 

  39. Feichtinger W, Obruca A, Brunner M: Sex chromosomal abnormalities and intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Lancet 1995;346:1566 (letter)

    Google Scholar 

  40. Jean M, Barriere P, Mirallie S: Intracytoplasmic sperm injection without polyvinylpyrrolidone: An essential precaution? Hum Reprod 1996;11:2332 (letter)

    Google Scholar 

  41. Butler EA, Masson GM: Development of a successful ICSI programme without the use of PVP. Hum Reprod 1997;12:1115 (letter)

    Google Scholar 

  42. Hlinka D, Herman M, Vesela J, Hredzak R, Horvath S, Pacin J: A modified method of intracytoplasmic sperm injection without the use of polyvinylpyrrolidone. Hum Reprod 1998;13:1922-1927

    Google Scholar 

  43. Tsai MY, Huang FJ, Kung FT, Lin YC, Chang SY, Wu JF, Chang HW: Influence of polyvinylpyrrolidone on the outcome of intracytoplasmic sperm injection. J Reprod Med 2000;45:115-120

    Google Scholar 

  44. Staessen C, Van Steirteghem AC: The chromosomal constitution of embryos developing from abnormally fertilized oocytes after intracytoplasmic sperm injection and conventional invitro fertilization. Hum Reprod 1997;12:321-327

    Google Scholar 

  45. Grossmann M, Calafell JM, Brandy N, Vanrell JA, Rubio C, Pellicer A, Egozcue J, Vidal F, Santalo J: Origin of tripronucleate zygotes after intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Hum Reprod 1997;12:2762-2765

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Toronto Fertility Sterility Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

    Yalcin Yavas, Sylvie Roberge, Firouz Khamsi, Parvin Shirazi, Maxine W. Endman & Jeremy C. Wong

Authors
  1. Yalcin Yavas
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Sylvie Roberge
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Firouz Khamsi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Parvin Shirazi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Maxine W. Endman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Jeremy C. Wong
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Yavas, Y., Roberge, S., Khamsi, F. et al. Clinical Assisted Reproduction: Performing ICSI Using an Injection Pipette with the Smallest Possible Inner Diameter and a Long Taper Increases Normal Fertilization Rate, Decreases Incidence of Degeneration and Tripronuclear Zygotes, and Enhances Embryo Development. J Assist Reprod Genet 18, 426–435 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1016634704469

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1016634704469

Search

Navigation