Outcomes for offspring of men having ICSI for male factor infertility

Since the introduction of intracytoplasmic sperm injection （ICSI） using single sperm isolated from testicular tissue in men with obstructive and non-obstructive azoospermia, or using ejaculated sperm in those with poor semen quality, there have been concerns that this might have adverse effects on the offspring compared to conventional in vitrofertilisation （IVF） and natural conceptions. ICSI is done for reasons other than male factor infertility, and on the whole has not been shown to have any more negative effects than those seen with IVF. There have however, been very few studies of ICSI with a focus on, or large enough numbers to examine, the specific outcomes associated with male factor infertility. From the limited information available in relation to the source of the sperm and aetiology of infertility in the presence of ICSI, there appears to be no increased risk of congenital malformations. There is, however, a small increase in both de novoand inherited chromosome abnormalities. In terms of growth and neurodevelopment, there are very few studies, and so far, no adverse outcomes have been found in young children whose fathers have a sperm defect. The origin of the sperm used in ICSI does not have a major influence on the early life outcomes for the offspring, but transgenerational and epigenetic effects remain unknown. When the male factor infertility is known or thought to be due to a Y-chromosome deletion, this information should be given to the young male offspring at a time that will ensure his own reproductive health and plans are optimized.

Types of Infertility and Its Risk Factors among Infertile Women: A Prospective Study in Dhaka City

Background: Infertility is a global health issue, and it is a multidimensional problem with social, economic, and cultural influences. Objectives: The study aimed to determine types of infertility and their contributing factors among the respondent infertile women. Methods: This prospective cross-sectional study was conducted among infertile women visiting Sir Salimullah Medical College and Hospital, Dhaka. From January to December 2020, 111 infertile women were included and evaluated for infertility types and their contributing factors. Data were collected by face-to-face interviewing, and data were analyzed statistically. Results: Primary infertility was found among 90 (81%) and secondary infertility among 21 (18.9%). Among the direct risk factors of female infertility, ovulation failure was the majority of the cases, 74 (35.1%), and its mainly observed in primarily infertile women 58 (33.9%). These observations were statistically significant. Conclusions: Infertility should be treated as a public health problem, government and non-government organizations should develop a basic policy to create effective fertility centers.

The usefulness and significance of assessing rapidly progressive spermatozoa

It is possible and clinically relevant to distinguish between slow and rapid progressive spermatozoa in basic semen analysis. This is discussed in light of the different purposes of semen analysis for the subfertile couple and the male patient. The two groups of progressive spermatozoa should be distinguished to help ensure that pertinent information available in the semen sample is not neglected.

Seminal characteristics and sexual behavior in men of different age groups： is there an aging effect？

Aim： To assess the seminal characteristics as well as the sexual behavior of men of various age groups to establish the presence of an aging effect on those characteristics. Methods： Semen samples were collected from men （n = 792） undergoing in vitro fertilization or intrauterine insemination in cases of female factor infertility only. Samples were collected using a seminal collection device at intercourse and evaluated manually according to World Health Organization （WHO） standards. Men were divided into four groups according to their ages： （i） 20-30, （ii） 31-40, （iii） 41-50 and （iv） 51-60 years, and their seminal characteristics and responses to a sexual behavior questionnaire were compared. Results： The data showed statistically significant differences in the seminal characteristics tested, most notably in the sperm concentration, motility, grade of motility, hypo-osmotic swelling and normal sperm morphology. Furthermore, the decline in normal sperm morphology with age was more pronounced when using strict criteria rather than WHO standards. There were also differences in total sperm count, total motile sperm and total functional sperm fraction （assessed by both WHO and strict criteria）. Significant differences were also observed in the sexual behavior patterns in older men in terms of the number of years they have been trying to conceive, sexual frequency and sexual satisfaction. Conclusion： The data clearly illustrate an aging effect on semen characteristics and sexual behavior in men as they age. It is suggested that the aging effect be taken into consideration when proposing normal standard values for semen characteristics in routine semen analysis as outlined by WHO standards.

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection in cases with a history of in vitro fertilization failure

<abstract>Aim: To evaluate the effect of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in the management of cases with a history of conventional in vitro fertilization (IVF) failure. Methods: Two groups of patients, 19 with normal semen parameters and a history of IVF failure (metaphase Ⅱ oocytes: 0~30 %) and 28 with severe male factor infertility received ICSI technology during the same period. Ovarian stimulation was achieved by conventional procedure. Transvaginal ultrasound-guided oocyte collection was done 35~37 h after human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) injection. Only metaphase Ⅱ oocytes were selected for microinjection. Results: Fertilization was achieved with ICSI in all the patients. The fertilization rate (75.6 %±21.1 % vs. 73.9 %±19.2 %), cleavage rate (85.1 %±19.3 % vs. 82.7 %±22.1 %), clinical pregnancy rate per embryo transfer cycle (31.6 % vs. 28.6 %) and implantation rate per embryo (15.3 % vs. 14.4 %) did not differ significantly between the two groups. Conclusion: ICSI is a valuable method for couples with a history of IVF failure. These patients may have a similar ICSI result as in severe male infertility.

Treatment of Infertile Women with Unilateral Tubal Occlusion Diagnosed by Hysterosalpingography:The Role of Intrauterine Insemination

Summary:The optimal assisted reproductive treatment strategy for infertile women with unilateral tubal obstruction remains uncertain.To investigate the role of intrauterine insemination(IUI)in the treatment of infertile women with unilateral tubal occlusion,the data of 148 couples were retrospectively collected and analyzed.Seventy-eight infertile women with unilateral occlusion diagnosed by hysterosalpingography(HSG)were categorized as the study group and 70 others with unexplained infertility as the control group.The study group was divided into a proximal occlusion subgroup and a mid-distal occlusion subgroup for further analysis.The main outcomes,namely the clinical pregnancy rate(CPR),ongoing pregnancy rate(OPR),and live birth rate(LBR)per cycle,were analyzed.Our results showed a tendency of lower CPR,OPR,and LBR in the study group than in the control group,without statistical significance.Further investigations revealed that the unilateral proximal occlusion subgroup had similar CPR,OPR,and LBR as the control group,while the unilateral mid-distal occlusion subgroup had significantly lower CPR(5.1%vs.20.0%,P=0.035),OPR(5.1%vs.20.0%,P=0.035),and LBR(5.1%vs.20.0%,P=0.035)than the control group.In conclusion,the clinical outcomes of IUI were worse in patients with unilateral tubal occlusion than in those with unexplained infertility.This might be primarily caused by the worse outcome of patients with unilateral mid-distal tubal occlusion instead of proximal occlusion.

Seminal characteristics and sexual behavior in men of different age groups:is there an aging effect?

Aim:To assess the seminal characteristics as well as the sexual behavior of men of various age groups to establish the presence of an aging effect on those characteristics.Methods:Semen samples were collected from men(n=792) undergoing in vitro fertilization or intrauterine insemination in cases of female factor infertility only.Samples were collected using a seminal collection device at intercourse and evaluated manually according to World Health Organiza- tion(WHO)standards.Men were divided into four groups according to their ages:(i)20-30,(ii)31-40,(iii)41-50 and(iv)51-60 years,and their seminal characteristics and responses to a sexual behavior questionnaire were compared. Results:The data showed statistically significant differences in the seminal characteristics tested,most notably in the sperm concentration,motility,grade of motility,hypo-osmotic swelling and normal sperm morphology.Furthermore, the decline in normal sperm morphology with age was more pronounced when rising strict criteria rather than WHO standards.There were also differences in total sperm count,total motile sperm and total functional sperm fiaction (assessed by both WHO and strict criteria).Significant differences were also observed in the sexual behavior patterns in older men in terms of the number of years they have been trying to conceive,sexual flequency and sexual satisfaction. Conclusion:The data clearly illustrate an aging effect on semen characteristics and sexual behavior in men as they age.It is suggested that the aging effect be taken into consideration when proposing normal standard values for semen characteristics in routine semen analysis as outlined by WHO standards.

Chronic epididymitis and Grade III varicocele and their associations with semen characteristics in men consulting for couple infertility

Chronic epididymitis and varicocele are frequently observed genital disorders in men consulting for couple infertility, but their impact on semen characteristics at the time of infertility consultation is still a matter of debate. We investigated 652 male partners of couples who had their first infertility consultation between 1999 and 2015 in Argentina. Men with chronic epididymitis （n = 253）, Grade III varicocele （n = 106）, and both conditions （n = 125） were compared with a control group （n = 168） composed of men without these disorders or any other recognized causes of male infertility. We showed that men who presented isolated chronic epididymitis were more likely to have high percentages of low sperm motility and abnormal sperm morphology as well as a high number of white blood cells. Men with isolated Grade III varicocele had low sperm production and motility and an increased percentage of abnormal sperm morphology. Finally, men who simultaneously presented chronic epididymitis with Grade III varicocele had a low sperm motility and increased percentage of abnormal sperm morphology as well as a high number of white blood cells. Physical examination of the genital organs may identify common disorders, potentially involved as causal factors of patient＇s infertility. These disorders are associated with specific seminal profiles that should help in identifying the best treatment from the available therapeutic options, effectiveness, safety, and allowing as much as possible natural conception.

Relationship between microdeletion on Y chromosome and patients with idiopathic azoospermia and severe oligozoospermia in the Chinese

Objectives To evaluate the relationship between microdeletion or mutation on the Y chromosome and Chinese patients with idiopathic azoospermia and severe oligozoospermia and to establish a molecular detection method.Methods Microdeletion or mutation detection at the AZFa (sY84 and USP9Y), AZFb, AZFc/DAZ and SRY regions of the Y chromosome. Seventy-three azoospermia and 28 severe oligozoospermia patients were evaluated using PCR and PCR-SSCP techniques.Results Twelve of 101 patients (12%) with the AZFc/DAZ microdeletion were found, including 8 with azoospermia (11%) and 4 with severe oligozoospermia (14.3%), and 1 patient had a AZFb and AZFc/DAZ double deletion. No deletions in the AZFa or SRY regions were found. No deletions in AZFa, AZFb, AZFc/DAZ or SRY regions were found in 60 normal men who had produced one or more children.Conclusions Microdeletion on the Y chromosome, especially at its AZFc/DAZ regions, may be a major cause of azoospermia and severe oligozoospermia leading to male infertility in China. It is recommended that patients have genetic counseling and microdeletion detection on the Y chromosome before intracytoplasmic sperm injection.

In vitro fertilization-embryo transfer in patients with unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss

Background:Empiric therapy for patients with unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss(URPL)is not precise.Some patients will ask for assisted reproductive technology due to secondary infertility or advanced maternal age.The clinical outcomes of URPL patients who have undergonein vitro fertilization-embryo transfer(IVF-ET)require elucidation.The IVF outcome and influencing factors of URPL patients need further study.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was designed,and 312 infertile patients with URPL who had been treated during January 2012 to December 2015 in the Reproduction Center of Peking University Third Hospital were included.By comparing clinical outcomes between these patients and those with tubal factor infertility(TFI),the factors affecting the clinical outcomes of URPL patients were analyzed.Results:The clinical pregnancy rate(35.18%vs.34.52%in fresh ET cycles,P=0.877;34.48%vs.40.27%in frozen-thawed ET cycles,P=0.283)and live birth rate(LBR)in fresh ET cycles(27.67%vs.26.59%,P=0.785)were not significantly different between URPL group and TFI group.URPL group had lower LBR in frozen-thawed ET cycles than that of TFI group(23.56%vs.33.56%,P=0.047),but the cumulative LBRs(34.69%vs.38.26%,P=0.368)were not significantly different between the two groups.The increased endometrial thickness(EMT)on the human chorionic gonadotropin day(odds ratio[OR]:0.848,95%confidence interval[CI]:0.748-0.962,P=0.010)and the increased number of eggs retrieved(OR:0.928,95%CI:0.887-0.970,P=0.001)were protective factors for clinical pregnancy in stimulated cycles.The increased number of eggs retrieved(OR:0.875,95%CI:0.846-0.906,P<0.001),the increased two-pronucleus rate(OR:0.151,95%CI:0.052-0.437,P<0.001),and increased EMT(OR:0.876,95%CI:0.770-0.997,P=0.045)in ET day were protective factors for the cumulative live birth outcome.Conclusion:After matching ages,no significant differences in clinical outcomes were found between the patients with URPL and the patients with TFI.A thicker endometrium and more retrieved oocytes increase the probability of pregnancy in fresh transfer cycles,but a better normal fertilization potential will increase the possibility of a live birth.