Wael Jamal

Is sperm dna damage associated with IVF embryo quality? A systematic review

PurposeSperm DNA damage is common amongst infertile men and may adversely impact natural reproduction, IUI-assisted reproduction and to a lesser degree IVF pregnancy. The objective of this study was to examine the influence of sperm DNA damage on embryo quality and/or development at IVF and ICSI.MethodsWe conducted a systematic review of studies that evaluated sperm DNA damage and embryo development and/or quality after IVF and/or ICSI.ResultsWe identified 28 studies (8 IVF, 12 ICSI and 8 mixed IVF-ICSI studies) that evaluated the relationship between sperm DNA damage and embryo quality. These 28 studies evaluated 3226 treatment cycles (1033 IVF and 873 ICSI, 1320 mixed IVF-ICSI cycles) and demonstrated highly variable characteristics. In 11 of the 28 studies (1/8 IVF, 5/12 ICSI and 5/8 mixed IVF-ICSI studies), sperm DNA damage was associated with poor embryo quality and/or development, whereas the remaining 17 studies showed no relationship between sperm DNA damage and embryo quality and/or development.ConclusionsThis systematic review indicates that the evaluable studies are heterogeneous and that overall, there is no consistent relationship between sperm DNA damage and embryo quality and/or development. The data also suggest that the influence of sperm DNA damage on embryo quality/development may be more significant in ICSI compared to IVF cycles.

Successful pregnancy following novel IVF protocol and transmyometrial embryo transfer after radical vaginal trachelectomy

Radical vaginal trachelectomy in patients with early-stage cervical cancer is an oncologically safe procedure in well-selected patients. Successful pregnancy in a patient with radical vaginal trachelectomy is possible, with two-thirds of pregnancies resulting in live birth. However, it presents a great challenge for assisted reproductive techniques and reproductive medicine in cases with subsequent severe cervical stenosis. This is a report of a 38-year-old patient who underwent radical vaginal trachelectomy at the age of 33 years for early stage (IA2) adenocarcinoma and subsequently presented with infertility due to cervical factors. The patient underwent ovarian stimulation using a novel SMART (Stimulation with Minimal Adverse effects, Retrieval and Transfer)-IVF protocol. As it was impossible to perform transcervical embryo transfer with an almost absent severely stenotic cervical opening, a transmyometrial embryo transfer under ultrasound guidance was performed. This resulted in a successful singleton full-term pregnancy delivered by Caesarean section at gestational age 37 weeks. As far as is known, this is the first reported case of successful pregnancy conceived by IVF with transmyometrial embryo transfer for a patient who had previously undergone radical vaginal trachelectomy.

Surgically retrieved spermatozoa versus ejaculated spermatozoa in modified natural IVF-ICSI cycles

A retrospective cohort study was performed to evaluate the outcome of modified natural IVF-intracytoplasmic sperm injection (mnIVF-ICSI) cycles to compare 81 mnIVF-ICSI first cycles using ejaculated spermatozoa with 44 mnIVF-ICSI first cycles using surgically retrieved spermatozoa. There were no differences between the two groups in terms of number of oocytes retrieved, oocyte maturity or female age. However, male age was significantly higher in the surgically retrieved compared with the ejaculated group (41.5 versus 36.5 years, P=0.001). There were no significant differences in fertilization rate or cleavage rate between the ejaculated and the surgically retrieved groups; however the prevalence of embryo transfer was higher in the surgically retrieved group (65.9% versus 45.7%, P=0.03). Only single-embryo transfer was performed. Biochemical (34.5% versus 37.8%) and clinical (31.0% versus 35.1%) pregnancy rates per embryo transfer were similar between the ejaculated and the surgically retrieved groups. The data suggest that mnIVF-ICSI is an alternative treatment option in couples with severe male factor infertility where surgical sperm retrieval is required. The aim of the present study was to evaluate and compare the outcomes of modified natural IVF-intracytoplasmic sperm injection (mnIVF-ICSI) with surgically retrieved spermatozoa (in male partners with obstructive azoospermia) and ejaculated spermatozoa (in couples with mild-to-moderate male factor). Eighty-one mnIVF-ICSI first cycles using ejaculated spermatozoa were compared with forty-four mnIVF-ICSI first cycles using surgically retrieved spermatozoa. There were no differences between the two groups in terms of number of oocytes retrieved, oocyte maturity or female age. However, male age was significantly higher in the surgically retrieved compared with the ejaculated group. There were no significant differences in fertilization rate, or cleavage rate between the two groups; however, there were more patients having embryo transfers in the surgically retrieved group. Only single-embryo transfer was performed. Biochemical and clinical pregnancy rates per embryo transfer were similar between both groups. The data suggest that mnIVF-ICSI is an alternative treatment option in couples with severe male factor infertility where surgical sperm retrieval is required.

Surgically retrieved sperm versus ejaculated sperm in modified natural in vitro fertilization-intracytoplasmic sperm injection (MNIVF-ICSI) cycles

OBJECTIVE CONCLUSION To evaluate the outcome of modified natural IVF-ICSI cycles using surgically retrieved sperm versus ejaculated sperm. In this first cohort study of mnIVF cycles for male factor infertility, we found no significant differences in reproductive outcomes between cycles using ejaculated and surgically retrieved sperm. The data suggest that mnIVF is a viable treatment option in couples with severe male factor infertility where surgical sperm retrieval is required.