We present artificially motorized sperm cells—a novel type of hybrid micromotor, where customized microhelices serve as motors for transporting sperm cells with motion deficiencies to help them carry out their natural function. Our results indicate that metal-coated polymer microhelices are suitable for this task due to potent, controllable, and nonharmful 3D motion behavior. We manage to capture, transport, and release single immotile live sperm cells in fluidic channels that allow mimicking physiological conditions. Important steps toward fertilization are addressed by employing proper means of sperm selection and oocyte culturing. Despite the fact that there still remain some challenges on the way to achieve successful fertilization with artificially motorized sperms, we believe that the potential of this novel approach toward assisted reproduction can be already put into perspective with the present work.

Cellular Cargo Delivery: Toward Assisted Fertilization by Sperm-Carrying Micromotors

The aim of the present prospective study was to determine whether subtle sperm morphological characteristics affect the outcome of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), and if so, to identify those that are relevant. For this purpose, we developed a new method, the motile sperm organelle morphology examination (MSOME). The examination is performed in real time using an inverted light microscope equipped with high-power Nomarski optics enhanced by digital imaging to achieve a magnification up to 6300x. MSOME was applied to the leftover sperm fraction selected for microinjection in 100 random couples referred for ICSI treatment at 3 major in vitro fertilization centers. We found that the morphological normalcy of the entire sperm cell, according to MSOME criteria, was positively associated with ICSI fertilization rate (area under the receiver operating characteristics [ROC] curve, 88%) but not with pregnancy outcome. The morphological normalcy of the sperm nucleus, defined by MSOME, was significantly and positively associated with both fertilization rate and pregnancy outcome (areas under the ROC curve, 72% and 74%, respectively). These findings indicate that ICSI-associated pregnancy rate may be affected by subtle morphological malformations of the sperm nucleus, which may remain undetected by the embryologist during the routine selection procedure.

Real-time fine morphology of motile human sperm cells is associated with IVF-ICSI outcome.

The aim of the present prospective study was to de- termine whether subtle sperm morphological characteristics affect the outcome of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), and if so, to identify those that are relevant. For this purpose, we developed a new method, the motile sperm organelle morphology examination (MSOME). The examination is performed in real time using an in- verted light microscope equipped with high-power Nomarski optics enhanced by digital imaging to achieve a magnification up to 6300. MSOME was applied to the leftover sperm fraction selected for mi- croinjection in 100 random couples referred for ICSI treatment at 3 major in vitro fertilization centers. We found that the morphological normalcy of the entire sperm cell, according to MSOME criteria, was positively associated with ICSI fertilization rate (area under the re- ceiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve, 88%) but not with preg- nancy outcome. The morphological normalcy of the sperm nucleus, defined by MSOME, was significantly and positively associated with both fertilization rate and pregnancy outcome (areas under the ROC curve, 72% and 74%, respectively). These findings indicate that ICSI-associated pregnancy rate may be affected by subtle morpho- logical malformations of the sperm nucleus, which may remain un- detected by the embryologist during the routine selection procedure.

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Breakthroughs in Andrology Real-Time Fine Morphology of Motile Human Sperm Cells is Associated With IVF-ICSI Outcome

https://cfpub.epa.gov/ncer_abstracts/index.cfm/fuseaction/display.files/fileID/13456

Relationship between the outcomes of assisted reproductive techniques and sperm DNA fragmentation as measured by the sperm chromatin structure assay

15. 14. Ogedengbe OK, Giwa-Osagie OF, Ogunyemi O. Implications of pattern of tubal disease for microsurgery and in-vitro fertilisation in Lagos. Journal of the National Medical Association , 1987, 79:510–512.

/pdf/current-practices-and-controversies-in-assisted-reproduction-wq5pndjqi6.pdf

Current Practices and Controversies in Assisted Reproduction

High success rates have been reported for the use of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in alleviating essentially andrological infertility. However, neither the relationship between any of the sperm parameters and the result of ICSI nor the minimal sperm requirements for ICSI have been investigated so far. In this paper, our objective was therefore to study the relationship between three basic sperm parameters (total sperm count, sperm motility and morphology) and the outcome of ICSI by retrospective analyses of fertilization, embryo development and pregnancy rates in 966 micro-injection cycles, performed with ejaculated semen. The results showed that there was no important influence from either the type or the extent of sperm impairment on the outcome of ICSI. Even in the most extreme cases of male-factor infertility, where cryptozoospermia or total astheno- or total teratozoospermia was diagnosed in the initial semen sample, high fertilization and pregnancy rates were obtained by ICSI. Only one condition had a strongly negative influence on the result of ICSI: where an immotile (presumably dead) spermatozoon was injected into the oocyte. Thus the only ultimate criterion for successful ICSI is the presence of at least one living spermatozoon per oocyte in the pellet of the treated semen sample used for micro-injection.

M.-P. Derde

Papers

The result of intracytoplasmic sperm injection is not related to any of the three basic sperm parameters.