The effect of assisted reproductive technology and sperm activation techniques on semen characteristics and pregnancy rates

Abstract EN

This study was designed to assess the effect of sperm activation techniques In vitro on semen characteristics and intrauterine insemination (IUI) procedure in varicocelic infertile patients.

In this study, fifty infertile male involved and according to preparation methods divided into 25 varicocelic and 25 non-varicocelic infertile couples.

From each male, semen samples were analyzed before and after in vitro sperm processing by standard semen parameters.

However, the spermatozoa prepared by direct swim-up and centrifugation swim-up technique with addition of IVF culture medium.

Furthermore, sperm concentration, sperm motility, progressive sperm motility and normal sperm morphology were evaluated according to WHO standard criteria.

For IUI technique, sperm prepared and incubated for 30 minute in 5% CO2 at 37ºC.

The results of the present study indicate a highly significant (P<0.001) differences for all sperm functions and pregnancy rates (P<0.001) were reported post in vitro sperm activation using direct swim-up and centrifugation swim-up method as compared to pre-activation.

Whereas, the best results for clinical pregnancy rate were reported for semen samples prepare by using direct swim-up when compared with centrifugation swim-up method.

It was concluded that centrifugation force have detrimental effect on sperm plasma membrane activity and fertilization potential of human spermatozoa.

Further studies are recommended to evaluate the detrimental effect of centrifugation swim-up technique on DNA damage and embryo quality after in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer.