WHO laboratory manual for the examination and processing of human semen

Predictive value of abnormal sperm morphology in in vitro fertilization

Previously reported better fertilization rate after intracytoplasmic single sperm injection (ICSI) than after subzonal insemination of several spermatozoa was confirmed in a controlled comparison of the two procedures in 11 patients. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection was carried out in 150 consecutive treatment cycles of 150 infertile couples, who had failed to have fertilized oocytes after standard in-vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures or who were not accepted for IVF because not enough motile spermatozoa were present in the ejaculate. A single spermatozoon was injected into the ooplasm of 1409 metaphase II oocytes. Only 117 oocytes (8.3%) were damaged by the procedure and 830 oocytes (64.2% of the successfully injected oocytes) had two distinct pronuclei the morning after the injection procedure. The fertilization rate was not influenced by semen characteristics. After 24 h of further in-vitro culture, 71.2% of these oocytes developed into embryos, which were transferred or cryopreserved. Only 15 patients did not have embryos replaced. Three-quarters of the transfers were triple-embryo transfers. High pregnancy rates were noticed since 67 pregnancies were achieved, of which 53 were clinical, i.e. a total and clinical pregnancy rate of 44.7% and 35.3% per started cycle and 49.6% and 39.2% per embryo transfer. A total of 237 supernumerary embryos were cryopreserved in 71 treatment cycles.

High fertilization and implantation rates after intracytoplasmic sperm injection

Body mass index (BMI) has been demonstrated to affect female fertility; however, little information is available on the impact of BMI on male fertility or semen parameters. Therefore, the study objective was to determine the relationship between BMI and semen parameters, including sperm chromatin integrity. We analyzed data on semen samples from 520 men who were grouped based upon calculated BMI values (normal, 20-24 kg/m(2); overweight, 25-30 kg/m(2); obese, >30 kg/m(2)). The data collected included patient height and weight, semen volume, sperm concentration, percent sperm motility, percent sperm morphology (normal forms), and sperm chromatin integrity (DNA fragmentation index [DFI]). Data were analyzed by regression analysis and analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Tukey's test for multiple pairwise comparisons. The overall BMI mean (+/-SEM) was 27.5 (+/-0.49) kg/m(2). Linear regression revealed a significant (P < .05) and negative relationship between BMI and the total number of normal-motile sperm cells. ANOVA revealed a significant difference (P < .05) in the total number of normal-motile sperm cells among the different BMI groups. The number of normal-motile sperm cells per BMI group was as follows: normal, 18.6 x 10(6); overweight, 3.6 x 10(6); and obese, (0.7) x 10(6). All multiple pairwise comparisons were found to be significantly (P < .05) different. The overall DFI mean (+/-SEM) was 24.7 (+/-2.57). Linear regression revealed a significant (P < .05) and positive relation between BMI and DFI. Men presenting with a BMI greater than 25 kg/m(2) have fewer chromatin-intact normal-motile sperm cells per ejaculate. Therefore, to ensure maximum fertility potential, patients may be advised to reduce body weight.

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.2164/jandrol.05124

Impact of body mass index values on sperm quantity and quality.

The predictive value of sperm chromatin integrity for pregnancy outcome following in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) was studied in 24 men attending a university-based assisted reproductive techniques laboratory using the flow cytometric sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA). The SCSA is a measure of the susceptibility of sperm DNA to low pH-induced denaturation in situ. The mean percentage of spermatozoa in the neat sample demonstrating DNA denaturation was significantly lower in the seven men that initiated a pregnancy (15.4 +/- 4.6, P = 0.01) than in the 14 men who did not initiate a pregnancy (31.1 +/- 3.2). No pregnancies resulted if > or =27% of the spermatozoa in the neat semen sample showed DNA denaturation. These data demonstrate that SCSA parameters are independent of conventional semen parameters. Furthermore, the SCSA may allow physicians to identify male patients for whom IVF and ICSI will be unlikely to result in pregnancy initiation.

Sperm chromatin structure assay parameters as predictors of failed pregnancy following assisted reproductive techniques

Sperm morphologic features as a prognostic factor in in vitro fertilization.

Gamete intrafallopian transfer as treatment for infertility associated with endometriosis.

Background. A prospective randomised controlled trial comparing gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT) with intrauterine insemination (IUI) was undertaken at the Fertility and Reproductive Biology Unit of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Tygerberg Hospital, between July 1999 and June 2000. Method. Eighty-five women were included in the study and were randomly allocated between the two groups
after routine infertility investigations, 41 women to IUI and 44 women to GIFT. A combination of clomiphene citrate and human menopausal gonadotropin was administered to both groups to achieve ovulation. Results. Six (13.6%) of the 44 cycles in the IUI group and 24 (53.3%) of the 45 cycles in the GIFT group achieved conception. The mean number of cycles needed to achieve pregnancy in IUI was 7.3 (44/6) and in GIFT was
2.05 (45/24). The ongoing pregnancy rate of GIFT was 39.7% more effective than that of IUI (p=0.0001.The total ongoing pregnancy rate of GIFT was 30.8% superior to that of IUI (p=0.0021). When 2 follicles were obtained in an IUI cycle, GIFT was 41.6% more effective (p=0.0024), and when more than 2 follicles were obtained, GIFT was
28.3% more effective (p=0.0265). Conclusions. The number of mature follicles significantly increased the chance of pregnancy with IUI. In comparing the number of cycles needed to achieve a pregnancy, 1 GIFT cycle is equivalent to more than 3 IUI cycles. It is important to note that 4 IUI cycles will give equivalent or even better results if 2 - 3 follicles are
recruited per cycle. In spite of the greater efficacy of GIFT, the authors conclude that at least 3 to 4 IUI cycles should be attempted before GIFT, on the basis that it is more cost effective and less invasive. South African Journal of Obstetrics and gynaecology Vol. 13 (3) 2007: pp. 104-109

Gamete intrafallopian transfer versus super-ovulation with intrauterine insemination for the treatment of

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Gamete intrafallopian transfer versus super-ovulation with intrauterine insemination for the treatment of infertility

Abstract Plantation forests were originally established in South Africa to meet an increasing demand for solid wood products as there was a limited supply from native forests. The majority of the commercial softwood plantations were established with Mexican Pinus patula. Since growing conditions are known to impact tree growth, tree form, and wood quality of P. patula, sample plots were established over a cross-section of plantations in the Lowveld Escarpment and Highveld forestry regions of South Africa that covered an array of geologies and altitudes. Each sample plot was classified according to soil properties, rainfall, and temperature, and trees within the plots were measured for growth, form, and wood properties. Soil, growing days, and temperature were found to have little impact on tree form and wood properties. However, rainfall and specifically, spring rainfall, was found to have a highly significant impact on late wood formation, proportion of juvenile core, and wood density. In addition, tree height was found to be strongly correlated with maximum annual temperature.

Jacobus P. Van der Merwe

Papers

Sperm morphologic features as a prognostic factor in in vitro fertilization.

Gamete intrafallopian transfer as treatment for infertility associated with endometriosis.

Gamete intrafallopian transfer versus super-ovulation with intrauterine insemination for the treatment of

Gamete intrafallopian transfer versus super-ovulation with intrauterine insemination for the treatment of infertility

The impact of soil, altitude, and climate on tree form and wood properties of plantation grown Pinus patula in Mpumalanga, South Africa