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Healthy twin live-birth after ionophore treatment in a case of theophylline-resistant Kartagener syndrome

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Abstract

Purpose

To evaluate whether it is a feasible option to target the oocyte (with Ca2+-ionophore) in case that sperm motility cannot be restored in Kartagener syndrome.

Methods

A case of a male Kartagener syndrome with exclusively immotile spermatozoa that did not react to the dimethylxanthine theophylline. Thus, half of the associated oocytes were treated for 15 min with the ready-to-use- ionophore CultActive immediately after ICSI whereas the other 50 % were injected with routine ICSI without artificial oocyte activation. Rates of fertilization, blastulation, pregnancy and live birth were evaluated.

Results

Fertilization check revealed that none of the conventionally injected but 4/6 (66.7 %) of the artificially activated oocytes showed two pronuclei. Three embryos were of good and one of fair quality. Corresponding blastocyst formation rate was 3 out of 4 (75 %). A double embryo transfer led to a healthy twin birth in the 34th week of gestation (two boys with a birth weight of 1724 g and 2199 g).

Conclusions

This case indicates that Ca2+-ionophore treatment in cycles from theophylline-resistant Kartagener syndrome patients is a feasible option. The future will show if routine application of A23187 in Kartagener or primary cilia dyskinesis patients will be of benefit.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Landes- Frauen- und Kinderklinik, Kinderwunsch Zentrum, Krankenhausstr. 26-30, A-4040, Linz, Upper Austria, Austria

    T. Ebner, P. Oppelt, R. B. Mayer & O. Shebl

  2. Landes- Frauen- und Kinderklinik, Institute of Human Genetics, Linz, Upper Austria, Austria

    M. Maurer & H. C. Duba

  3. Faculty of Medicine, Johannes Kepler University, Linz, Upper Austria, Austria

    T. Ebner, M. Maurer, P. Oppelt, R. B. Mayer, H. C. Duba & O. Shebl

  4. Department of Urology, Krankenhaus der Barmherzigen Schwestern, Linz, Upper Austria, Austria

    W. Costamoling

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  1. T. Ebner
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  2. M. Maurer
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  3. P. Oppelt
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  4. R. B. Mayer
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  5. H. C. Duba
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  6. W. Costamoling
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  7. O. Shebl
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to T. Ebner.

Additional information

Capsule Ca2+-ionophore treatment in cycles from theophylline-resistant Kartagener syndrome patients is a feasible option.

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Ebner, T., Maurer, M., Oppelt, P. et al. Healthy twin live-birth after ionophore treatment in a case of theophylline-resistant Kartagener syndrome. J Assist Reprod Genet 32, 873–877 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-015-0486-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-015-0486-2

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