Abnormal fertilization in ICSI and its association with abnormal semen parameters:a retrospective observational study on 1855 cases

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection(ICSI)efficiently addresses male factor infertility.However,the occurrence of abnormal fertilization,mainly characterized by abnormal pronuclei(PN)patterns,merits investigation.To investigate abnormal fertilization patterns following ICSI and identify their respective associations with abnormal parameters in semen analysis(SA),a retrospective observational study including 1855 cycles was performed.Male infertility diagnosis relied on the 2010 WHO criteria.The population was divided into groups based on their SA results.The presence of 2PNs and extrusion of the second polar body(PB)indicated normal fertilization.A Kruskal–Wallis test along with a Wilcoxon post hoc evaluation and Bonferroni correction was employed for comparison among the groups.For the pregnancy rate,logistic regression was employed.No correlation was established between the SA abnormalities and the 1PN or 3PN formation rates.The highest and lowest 0PN rates were reported for the oligoasthenoteratozoospermic and normal groups,respectively.The lowest cleavage formation rates were identified in the oligoasthenozoospermic and oligoasthenoteratozoospermic groups.The aforementioned groups along with the oligoteratozoospermic group similarly presented the lowest blastocyst formation rates.For the clinical pregnancy rate,no statistically significant difference was observed.In conclusion,the incidence of two or more abnormal SA parameters–with the common denominator being oligozoospermia–may jeopardize normal fertilization,cleavage,and blastocyst rates.Once the developmental milestone of achieving blastocyst stage status was achieved,only oligoasthenozoospermia and oligoasthenoteratozoospermia were associated with lower rates.Interestingly,following adjustment for the number of blastocysts,no statistically significant differences were observed.

What will the future hold for artificial organs in the service of assisted reproduction: prospects and considerations

Assisted reproduction provides a wide spectrum of treatments and strategies addressing infertility.However,distinct groups of infertile patients with unexplained infertility,congenital disorders,and other complex cases pose a challenge in in vitro fertilization(IVF)practices.This special cohort of patients is associated with futile attempts,IVF overuse,and dead ends in management.Cutting edge research on animal models introduced this concept,along with the development of artificial organs with the aim to mimic the respective physiological functions in reproduction.Extrapolation on clinical application leads to the future use of infertility management in humans.To date,the successful clinical application of artificial reproductive organs in humans is not feasible because further animal model studies are required prior to clinical trials.The application of these artificial organs could provide a solution to infertility cases with no other options.This manuscript presents an overview on the current status,future prospects,and considerations on the potential clinical application of artificial ovary,uterus,and gametes in humans.This paper presents how the IVF practice landscape may be shaped and challenged in the future,along with the subsequent concerns in assisted reproductive treatments.