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Evaluating a novel panel of sperm function tests for utility in predicting intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) outcome

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Abstract

Purpose

The objective of this study was to evaluate a panel of three sperm function tests; tests known to assess different aspects of sperm functionality and genomic integrity, the: 1) Sperm DNA Accelerated Decondensation (SDADTM) Test, 2) Sperm DNA Decondensation (SDDTM) Test, and 3) Sperm Penetration Assay (SPA), determining if positive and negative test scores correlated with failed and successful ICSI outcomes, respectfully.

Methods

A prospective, double blinded, cohort study was performed. One study sample (ejaculated semen) was collected by each of the 60 male partners of the 60 couples enrolled in the study; males whose female partners were found to have no major female factor issues. The sperm from each male was analyzed in the SPA, and SDAD and SDD Tests, and used for ICSI (1 ICSI cycle per couple).

Results

The ICSI cycle pregnancy rate for this study was 50 %, with a delivery rate = 40 % (n = 60 ICSI cycles). The SPA and SDD Test scores did not significantly predict ICSI outcome when used as stand-alone tests (p> > 0.05). However, when the SPA and SDD Test scores were used together, ICSI outcomes for a subgroup of 10 (16.7 %) males, were significantly predicted (p = 0.03), with 1 live birth, and 9 negatives where the transferred embryos did not implant. In total, 38.4 % of the couples in this study were found to have a very poor chance for a successful ICSI cycle.

Conclusion

SDAD Test scores alone, and SPA and SDD Test scores used together, significantly predicted failed ICSI outcomes. This indicates that the scores obtained when analyzing patients’ sperm using a panel of sperm function tests; specifically, the SPA, and SDAD and SDD Tests, can be used to identify infertile couples who should not be directed to ICSI.

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Acknowledgments

The authors wish to acknowledge Olivera Vragovic, MBA (Research Manager, Dept. of Ob/Gyn, Boston University School of Medicine), for her invaluable help with the statistical analyses performed during the course of this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. 1405 Miami Road, Unit 20, Fort Lauderdale, FL, 33316, USA

    David B. Brown

  2. ART Fertility Program of Alabama, Birmingham, AL, 35209, USA

    Deborah C. Merryman, Virginia L. Houserman, Cecil A. Long & Kathryn L. Honea

  3. Newton, MA, USA

    Benjamin Rivnay

Authors
  1. David B. Brown
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  2. Deborah C. Merryman
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  3. Benjamin Rivnay
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  4. Virginia L. Houserman
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  5. Cecil A. Long
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  6. Kathryn L. Honea
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to David B. Brown.

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Capsule

A Panel of physiologically relevant sperm function tests was shown to have significant clinical utility when used to predict ICSI outcome.

David B. Brown and Deborah C. Merryman contributed equally to this work.

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Brown, D.B., Merryman, D.C., Rivnay, B. et al. Evaluating a novel panel of sperm function tests for utility in predicting intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) outcome. J Assist Reprod Genet 30, 461–477 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-013-9960-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-013-9960-x

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