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Chromosome studies in human in vitro fertilization.

The chromosome constitution of 22 human preimplantation embryos from donor oocytes fertilized in vitro by donor sperm was studied to assess the contribution of lethal chromosome anomalies to the high failure rate of implantation of in vitro fertilized embryos after embryo transfer in infertile women. Evidence was found of nondisjunction, resulting in trisomy, monosomy, and nullosomy; structural abnormalities; haploidy; and triploidy. Despite the lethality of their chromosome complements, these embryos could not be distinguished morphologically from those with normal chromosomes.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗

Immunosuppressive activity in human in vitro fertilization (IVF) culture supernatants and prediction of the outcome of embryo transfer: a multicenter trial.

The supernatants from cultured human oocytes fertilized in vitro contain low molecular weight factors that can suppress or stimulate the proliferative response of lymphocytes in vitro. The inhibitory and stimulatory effects are nonspecific and may be detected using cultured human or murine tumor cell lines. Using such a bioassay, we previously tested fetal cord serum-supplemented culture supernatant and found that an absence of suppression was correlated with an absence of subsequent pregnancy. To test this association further, additional samples were obtained from four different in vitro fertilization (IVF) units and studied blindly without knowledge of the pregnancy outcome. In this series, samples were obtained after the first 12-24 hr of sperm-oocyte incubation and all of the supernatants were from individual embryo cultures. The average number of preembryos transferred to those achieving pregnancy did not differ significantly from the number transferred to those not achieving pregnancy but the level of suppression was greater (8.7 +/- 1.9%) in those becoming pregnant compared to those not achieving pregnancy (0.8 +/- 1.5%). Twenty-two of 61 patients who received at least one embryo with a suppressive supernatant achieved pregnancy, whereas 0 of 19 patients received embryos lacking suppressive supernatants became pregnant. Two patients who received a single embryo from cultures with suppression became pregnant. Several problems with the bioassay method were defined. The culture medium in this series was always supplemented with adult serum, usually from the patient herself, and this serum could be suppressive.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Blastocyst↗

In vitro fertilization techniques with frozen-thawed sperm: a method for preserving the progenitive potential of Hodgkin patients.

The banked sperm of 5 of 13 Hodgkin patients was thawed for assisted reproduction. The post-thaw sperm characteristics were extremely impaired. Nevertheless, in 80% of all trials fertilization in vitro was obtained and conceptus could be transferred. All spouses became pregnant and seven healthy infants were born. One could recommend every Hodgkin patient to bank his sperm before chemotherapy. In vitro fertilization techniques with this frozen-thawed sperm reveal promising results in comparison with artificial insemination to maintain the reproductive capacity of male Hodgkin patients.

Adult↗

Human follicular fluid from pre-ovulatory follicles in patients undergoing in-vitro fertilization inhibits the in-vitro growth of gram-positive micro-organisms.

In this study, we assessed the antibacterial activity of human follicular fluid obtained from patients undergoing oocyte aspiration for in-vitro fertilization and embryo transfer. Gram-positive and Gram-negative microorganisms and Candida albicans were added to the follicular fluid and broth cultures which served as controls. Follicular fluid was shown to be inhibitory against Gram-positive microorganisms; this inhibition was probably due to lysosyme and progesterone. Growth of Gram-negative micro-organisms and C. albicans were, however, supported by follicular fluid incubation.

Candida albicans↗

Pregnancies after in-vitro fertilization of cow follicular oocytes, their incubation in rabbit oviduct and their transfer to the cow uterus.

Cow embryos fertilized in vitro (1-8-cell) (n = 113) were transferred surgically to the ligated oviduct of pseudopregnant female rabbits (31 +/- 4 h after 75 i.u. hCG). Rabbits were killed 99 +/- 5 h later and 67 embryos were recovered: 45 (67%) had cleaved at least once, 15 had reached the morula stage and 2 blastocysts were obtained. Transfer of cleaved embryos (2-8-cell) led to a high recovery rate (84%) compared to 39% for one-cell embryos. Of the embryos incubated for more than 99 h in the rabbit oviduct, 41% were at the morula stage. Embryos incubated in vivo (n = 21) (8-cell to blastocyst) were transferred to the uterus of 14 synchronized recipient heifers by a surgical (N = 5) or a non-surgical (N = 9) procedure: 6 pregnancies resulted (4 from the non-surgical procedures). In addition, 27 (2-8-cell) cow embryos developed in vitro were transferred to the oviduct of synchronized heifers by a paralumbar surgical approach on a standing animal, but no pregnancies resulted. It is therefore concluded that (1) the rabbit oviduct can be used to obtain cow eggs at an embryonic stage sufficiently advanced to permit transfer to the uterus of a synchronized recipient; and (2) the pregnancy rate after in-vitro fertilization and incubation in the rabbit oviduct are similar to results with fertilization in vivo.

Animals↗

Insulin and insulin-like growth factor I in follicular fluid after induction of ovulation in women undergoing in vitro fertilization.

This study was undertaken to evaluate the relationship between concentrations of insulin and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) in follicular fluid and fertilization and cleavage of human oocytes fertilized in vitro. The concentration of oestradiol, progesterone, luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, testosterone, insulin and IGF-I was determined in 36 follicular fluids, free of visible blood contamination and containing mature oocyte-corona-cumulus complexes, obtained from 12 women undergoing in vitro fertilization. Follicular development was induced by clomiphene citrate and human menopausal gonadotrophin, and follicular aspiration was performed 35 h after an ovulatory dose of human chorionic gonadotrophin. Concentrations of IGF-I were significantly higher in follicular fluids associated with mature oocytes that fertilized and cleaved, than in follicular fluid associated with mature oocytes that did not fertilize (P < 0.001). There was no difference in the concentration of insulin between follicular fluids from which fertilized oocytes were obtained and those with oocytes that remained unfertilized. No significant correlations were found between rates of embryo cleavage, concentrations of insulin and IGF-I. Multiple linear regression analysis demonstrated that the concentrations of IGF-I in follicular fluid were predicted statistically by a negative regression coefficient for the concentration of testosterone, and by a positive regression coefficient for the concentration of progesterone in follicular fluid. No candidate variable was included in the model to predict concentrations of insulin. These data suggest an important role for IGF-I in the mature follicle.

Adult↗

In vitro fertilization in the horse. A retrospective study.

Since the first successful collection of oocytes by non-surgical puncture, there have been numerous attempts to fertilize them but few segmented embryos have resulted. The latest attempts at follicular puncture (Palmer et al., 1987) provided 159 oocytes. Oocytes found broken (18%) were probably already broken, or at least fragile, before puncture. The 41 oocytes were fertilized only with semen treated with Ionophore A23187. Following ionophore treatment of semen, 16 ova segmented (of 113 inseminated oocytes) indicating fertilization, and another 7 showed signs of fertilization but not segmentation. Our basic protocol, when applied to 60 oocytes, yielded 11 (18%) embryos and 5 (8%) that were fertilized without segmentation. Modifications to the protocol produced no improvement in the results. Eight embryos fertilized in vitro were transferred into the ampulla of 8 recipient mares. One pregnancy resulted and foaling occurred June 14, 1990. This is the first equine pregnancy to continue to full term following in vitro fertilization.

Animals↗

Pregnancy following in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer by microsurgical epididymal sperm aspiration from a patient with congenital absence of the vas deferens: a case report.

Congenital absence of the vas deferens (CAVD) has been considered a virtually untreatable cause of male infertility. Men with this condition have been shown on testicular biopsy to have adequate spermatogenesis, and are theoretically producing sperm capable of fertilizing an oocyte. Yet epididymal transit was thought to be essential for the maturation of spermatozoa and development of their fertilizing ability since the characteristics of sperm motility improve as the sperm passes through the cauda. However recent studies in man have shown that spermatozoa aspirated from the obstructed caput epididymis and ductuli efferentia are, in fact, capable of fertilization in vitro. Microsurgical epididymal sperm aspiration (MESA) from the proximal region (caput) of the epididymis, obtained 0.5 x 10(6) sperm per ml, following washing and direct swim-up. Twelve oocytes were inseminated and three embryos were generated for transfer. The patient conceived and delivered a healthy female baby weighting 2838 gm, on March 3, 1994. This is the first documentation in Taiwan of live birth resulting from MESA from a patient with CAVD combined with in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer.

Adult↗

The relationship of semen parameters to fertilization in patients participating in a program of in vitro fertilization.

Approximately 80% of the patients in a program of in vitro fertilization (IVF) will fertilize an oocyte. The purpose of this study was to determine which parameters of the semen analysis influence fertilization in vitro. Of 120 patients participating in an in vitro fertilization program, 98 achieved fertilization of at least one mature oocyte and 22 did not. Ovulation induction was standardized and patients whose sperm was exposed to at least one mature oocyte (by light microscopy) were included in the study. Semen washing was accomplished using a "swim-up" technique. Semen parameters were assessed both before (raw) and after washing. Following insemination with 100,000 motile sperm, fertilization was determined by the presence of pronuclei or cleavage. Mean sperm count and motility were higher in patients who fertilized. However, morphology was similar. Fertilization was more likely to occur with a raw density greater than 104 million/ml and a motility greater than 64%, as well as with a density greater than 18 million/ml and a motility greater than 86% following washing. Furthermore, washing lowered sperm counts by 75% and increased motility by 25% but had no effect on morphology. This study demonstrates that sperm count and motility, but not morphology, influence fertilization in a program of in vitro fertilization and that patients with higher counts and motility have a greater probability of fertilization.

Female↗

[Role of sperm passage through cervical mucus: fertilizing capacity tested by in vitro fertilization with zona-free hamster eggs].

The effect of sperm passage through cervical mucus (CM) on the fertilizing capacity of human spermatozoa was examined in the in vitro fertilization system of zona-free hamster eggs. Each drop of ejaculated semen and BWW culture medium was connected by a small capillary tube filled with preovulatory CM, egg white or BWW medium under liquid paraffin oil in a plastic petri dish. After 2 hours, zona-free hamster eggs were added to the drop of BWW culture medium containing spermatozoa which had passed through the capillary tube and the mixture was incubated for various lengths of time at 37 degrees C under 5% CO2 in air. Human spermatozoa, which were washed and preincubated for 2 hours in BWW medium, were capable of fertilizing zona-free hamster eggs but needed a longer incubation time than spermatozoa which had passed through CM. Fertilization rates of spermatozoa which had passed through CM and egg white were very similar, but no fertilization occurred in the drop containing spermatozoa which had passed through BWW medium, presumably because of the contamination with seminal plasma. These results indicate that the most important role of CM may be to separate motile spermatozoa from seminal plasma components hostile to fertilization.

Animals↗

The effect of antioxidant treatment on human spermatozoa and fertilization rate in an in vitro fertilization program.

OBJECTIVE: To study the possible influence of antioxidant treatment on human spermatozoa and the fertilization rate in an IVF program. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: In Vitro Fertilization Unit, Serlin Maternity Hospital, and the Laboratory of Male Fertility, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel. PATIENTS: Fifteen fertile normospermic male volunteers who had low fertilization rates in their previous IVF cycles. INTERVENTIONS: Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) 200 mg daily by mouth for 3 months. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Lipid peroxidation potential (amount of malondialdehyde [MDA]), quantitative ultramorphologic analysis of spermatozoa, and fertilization rate per cycle. RESULTS: The high MDA levels significantly decreased from 12.6 +/- 9.4 nmol/10(8) spermatozoa to normal levels of 7.8 +/- 4.2 nmol/10(8) spermatozoa after 1 month of treatment. The fertilization rate per cycle increased significantly from 19.3 +/- 23.3 to 29.1 +/- 22.2 after 1 month of treatment. No additional effects on MDA levels and fertilization rate were observed after completion of treatment. With regard to the quantitative ultramorphologic analysis, none of the sperm cell subcellular organelles were affected significantly by vitamin E treatment. CONCLUSION: Vitamin E may improve the fertilization rate of fertile normospermic males with low fertilization rates after 1 month of treatment, possibly by reducing the lipid peroxidation potential, and with no change of the quantitative ultramorphologic analysis of subcellular organelles.

Administration, Oral↗

Defective sperm-zona pellucida interaction: a major cause of failure of fertilization in clinical in-vitro fertilization.

Sperm-zona pellucida binding and penetration were assessed on the oocytes that failed to fertilize from couples with >/=3 oocytes treated by standard in-vitro fertilization (IVF). There were four groups: fertilization rate 0% (n = 369), 1-25% (n = 194), 26-50% (n = 81) and 51-95% (n = 100). Of the couples with zero fertilization rate 70% had </=5 spermatozoa bound per zona pellucida and 42% had no spermatozoa penetrating the zona pellucida of any oocyte. In contrast, in the 51-95% fertilization rate group, only 17% had </= 5 spermatozoa bound per zona pellucida and 6% had no spermatozoa penetrating the zona pellucida. There was a significantly higher frequency of poor sperm morphology (</= 5% normal) in couples with zero fertilization rate (36%) than in the fertilization rate group 51-95% (7%). Incubation of oocytes from 68 couples with zero fertilization rate and low sperm-zonae pellucidae binding with fertile donor spermatozoa resulted in normal sperm-zona pellucida binding and most zonae pellucidae being penetrated. In conclusion, defective sperm-zona pellucida interaction was the major cause for low fertilization rates in standard IVF. This was usually because of defects of the spermatozoa rather than defects of the oocytes. Sperm defects likely to cause failure of fertilization should be diagnosed before commencing IVF and the patients directed to intracytoplasmic sperm injection.

Female↗

Coculture of ovine zygotes fertilized in vivo or in vitro and positive effect of CZB medium on the development of in vitro fertilized zygotes.

The development and quality of ovine zygotes derived from in vivo (IVOF) or in vitro fertilization (IVF) were compared after coculture on sheep oviductal cells. The same criteria were used to evaluate the coculture of IVF zygotes in CZB medium for 2 d followed by 199 medium for 6 d (CZB-199 coculture) or in 199 medium for 8 d (199 coculture). A higher overall developmental rate to blastocyst stages was obtained with IVOF (65.7%) than with IVF (23.2%) zygotes. More IVF zygotes reached blastocyst stages in CZB-199 (36.7%) than in 199 coculture (22.9%). The morphological aspect did not differ significantly between IVOF and IVF or between 199 and CZB-199 blastocysts. Histological examination revealed no significant difference in the pyknotic and mitotic indices and mean number of cells in the trophoblast and in the inner cell mass of hatched blastocysts between IVOF and IVF or between CZB-199 and 199 cocultures. According to criteria used in this study, the quality of blastocysts was equivalent, independently of fertilization or coculture systems. The use of CZB medium during the first cleavages increases the proportion of blastocysts.

Animals↗

Micropuncture retrieval of epididymal sperm with in vitro fertilization: importance of in vitro micromanipulation techniques.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the importance of in vitro micromanipulation techniques, specifically intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), for the fertility treatment of men with congenital absence of the vas deferens (CAV) or other unreconstructable male reproductive tract obstruction. METHODS: Results using ICSI during in vitro fertilization (IVF) were compared to previously published results of IVF alone and IVF with other micromanipulation techniques at the same infertility center. Main outcome parameters evaluated were: fertilization rate per oocyte, clinical pregnancy rate, and ongoing pregnancies and deliveries. RESULTS: IVF with ICSI yielded a fertilization rate per oocyte of 140 of 312 (45%) and a clinical pregnancy rate of 14 of 27 (52%) per cycle of sperm and egg retrieval. Ongoing pregnancies or deliveries have occurred for 13 of 27 (48%) cycles with ICSI. These results were better than our previously published results of IVF alone or in conjunction with the micromanipulation techniques of subzonal insertion (SuZI) or partial zona dissection (PZD) that yielded a 119 of 631 (19%; P < 0.0001) fertilization rate, clinical pregnancy rate of 14 of 51 (27%; P < 0.001) and ongoing pregnancy or delivery for 12 of 51 cycles (24%; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Epididymal sperm retrieval should be performed only when micromanipulation is available in conjunction with IVF to maximize chances of fertilization and subsequent pregnancies. The use of ICSI for epididymal sperm appears to maximize chances of pregnancy for couples with surgically unreconstructable obstructive male infertility.

Cytoplasm↗

Evaluation of a cut-off value for normal sperm morphology using strict criteria to predict fertilization after conventional in-vitro fertilization and embryo transfer in asthenozoospermia.

The predictive value of sperm morphology evaluation using strict criteria (MEUSC) on fertilization and pregnancy rates was evaluated in 60 couples undergoing in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and embryo transfer. In all, 47 of the male partners had a progressive sperm motility < 50% with a density > 20 x 10(6)/ml (asthenozoospermia) and 13 had normozoospermia. MEUSC was performed on the same semen sample that was used for IVF on at least 100 spermatozoa after Papanicolaou staining at x 1250 magnification. Defects in the head, mid-piece and tail were counted separately, borderline forms were classified as abnormal and the teratozoospermia index was calculated for each sample. Of the spermatozoa in the asthenozoospermic group, 13.0% were judged as normal on MEUSC versus 19.8% in normozoospermia (P = 0.0013). The number of normal spermatozoa on MEUSC correlated with the progressive motility in asthenozoospermia (rho = 0.41, P = 0.0043). Defects in the mid-piece (P = 0.0004) and tail (P = 0.025) were more common, and the teratozoospermia index (P = 0.015) was higher in asthenozoospermic than normozoospermic samples. The parameters of MEUSC did not correlate with the fertilization rate. In asthenozoospermia, differences in fertilization rates were calculated for each cut-off value between 4 and 10% normal spermatozoa on MEUSC. A cut-off value of 6% gave the best statistical power. If > 6% of spermatozoa were normal, a median of 66.7% of ova were fertilized, compared with a median fertilization rate of 35.4% if < or = 6% of spermatozoa were normal (P = 0.022). The highest cut-off value still giving significant discrimination was 8% (normal MEUSC > 8%, median fertilization rate 66.7%; < or = 8%, median fertilization rate 35.7%, P = 0.028), and this may be used as the critical value for normal morphology in asthenozoospermia. It is concluded that despite a significant linear relationship between morphology using strict criteria and progressive motility, MEUSC is still useful as a predictor for fertilization in asthenozoospermia. In cases of asthenozoospermia with < or = 8% normal spermatozoa on MEUSC, micromanipulation should be considered.

Adult↗

Successful freezing of unfertilized mouse oocytes and effect of cocultures in oviducts on development of in vitro fertilized embryos after thawing.

PURPOSE: To establish a freeze-thawing method for unfertilized oocytes with a high success rate, we examined several conditions for freeze-thawing. The effects of EDTA and cocultures in oviducts on the development of embryos fertilized in vitro after thawing were also studied. RESULTS: In the first experiment, unfertilized oocytes that were frozen in 1.5 M dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) supplemented with 0.2 M sucrose by a slow freeze-thawing method showed the best results (fertilization rate, 71.9%; blastocyst rate per frozen oocyte, 18.8%). The proportion of embryos that developed to blastocysts was significantly higher when DMSO was added at 4 degrees C than at room temperature (39.4 vs 19.4%; P < 0.01). The addition of EDTA (10 microM) to the culture medium did not promote embryo development after fertilization in vitro. However, the rate of development of in vitro fertilized embryos to blastocysts after thawing was significantly higher when the embryos were cultured in oviducts in vitro than the rates in control cultures and those cultured with EDTA (blastocyst rate from fertilized oocytes, 71.4 vs 51.0 and 52.8%, respectively; P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Unfertilized mouse oocytes can be cryopreserved successfully by a slow freeze-thawing method with the addition of 1.5 M DMSO and 0.2 M sucrose at low temperatures, and coculture with oviducts enhances the development of embryos that are fertilized in vitro after thawing.

Animals↗

Acrosome reaction inducibility predicts fertilization success at in-vitro fertilization.

We prospectively studied the ability of acrosome reaction (AR) inducibility to predict fertilization success in a group of 232 infertile patients presenting sequentially for in-vitro fertilization (IVF). The median percentage of eggs fertilized for the overall patient population was 25% (interquartile range 5-58%), with one to 29 oocytes available for insemination (median, five oocytes). The median percentage of eggs fertilized at IVF increased as the percentage of spermatozoa able to undergo AR became greater: spermatozoa with a failed AR (< or = 5%) fertilized only 12% of eggs, while spermatozoa with AR values > 9% fertilized 50% of eggs. The assay had a specificity of 0.75, a sensitivity of 0.55 and an odds ratio of 2.9; thus, AR-positive patients are 2.9 times more likely to achieve fertilization than patients with a failed AR. Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves were constructed for AR, sperm concentration and percentage of normal forms in semen. All three parameters proved to be potentially useful in predicting the occurrence of fertilization, although AR and morphology appeared to be better than sperm concentration by ROC analysis. Patients were divided into four clearly defined subgroups according to their traditional semen characteristics, including morphology. The median percentage of eggs fertilized decreased as traditional semen characteristics deteriorated, from a median of 46% for patients with excellent sperm concentration, motility and morphology, to a median of 29% for patients with suboptimal semen quality and a median of 0% for patients with severely impaired semen.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acrosome↗