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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1992

Increased fertilization and pregnancy rate in polypronuclear fertilization cycles in in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer.

OBJECTIVE: To compare fertilization and pregnancy rates between cycles with polypronuclear fertilizations and cycles with normal fertilizations. DESIGN: In vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) cycles in which oocytes were retrieved were divided into two groups according to the nature of fertilization. PATIENTS: All patients were participants of our IVF-ET program. RESULTS: A significantly higher fertilization rate was found in the polypronuclear fertilization cycles (61% versus 36.6%) and also an improved pregnancy rate (47.5% versus 19.6%) and per embryo transfers (53% versus 28.8%). The vast majority of polypronuclear fertilizations occurred in mature oocytes. CONCLUSION: We believe that the increased receptability of the oocytes improves fertilization and conception rates. The polypronuclear fertilization is an extreme expression of such improved receptibility and should be considered as an encouraging sign for conception.

Embryo Transfer↗

PubMed1992

Sperm creatine phosphokinase M-isoform ratios and fertilizing potential of men: a blinded study of 84 couples treated with in vitro fertilization.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the value of sperm creatine phosphokinase M-isoform (CK-MM) measurements toward predicting fertilizing potential of men. DESIGN: In 84 in vitro fertilization (IVF) couples without knowing the semen parameters, reproductive history or the outcome of the IVF cycles, we determined the sperm CK-MM ratios (the proportion of sperm CK-MM versus CK-MM+CK-BB). Husbands with less than 10% or greater than or equal to 10% CK-MM ratios were classified as "low likelihood for fertilization" (CKMM-Infertile, n = 22) or "high likelihood for fertilization" (CKMM-Fertile, n = 62), respectively. RESULTS: Both the CKMM-Infertile and CKMM-Fertile groups (CK-MM ratios: 4.9% +/- 0.6% versus 31.1% +/- 1.8%) were in the normospermic range (31.5 +/- 6.9 versus 78.4 +/- 5.9 x 10(6) sperm/mL and 45.6% +/- 5.0% versus 54.0% +/- 2.0% motility). The fertilization rates (6.2 versus 4.9 oocytes inseminated) were 14.2% versus 53.4%, and 72.7% versus 25.8% of the couples failed to achieve any oocyte fertilization. All 14 pregnancies (16.7% rate) occurred in the CKMM-Fertile group. The pregnancy rate in the 62 CKMM-Fertile couples was 22.6%, and considering only the 46 CKMM-Fertile women in whom oocyte fertilization occurred, it was 30.4%. Among the 22 CKMM-Infertile men, 9 were normospermic and 9 of the 62 CKMM-Fertile men were oligospermic. Within the CKMM-Fertile group, 12 and 2 of the 14 pregnancies occurred by the 53 normospermic and 9 oligospermic men (22.6% versus 22.2% rate). CONCLUSIONS: Sperm CK-MM ratios, a measure of normal sperm development, predict fertilizing potential independently from sperm concentrations. Sperm CK-MM ratios also detect unexplained male infertility (infertile men with normospermic semen), a diagnosis that until now could not be substantiated.

Biomarkers↗

PubMed1991

Total acrosin activity correlates with fertility potential after fertilization in vitro.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the possible relationship between total acrosin activity in spermatozoa and fertility potential after fertilization in vitro. DESIGN: Total acrosin activity of spermatozoa was measured in 101 in vitro fertilization (IVF) cases by an observer unaware of fertilization and cleavage results. SETTING: University Hospital is a tertiary referral center offering a government supported In Vitro Fertilization Programme. PARTICIPANTS: Participants were couples undergoing IVF. INTERVENTIONS: A miniature assay measured total acrosin activity in the semen sample used for IVF. OUTCOME MEASURES: The proportion of mature oocytes fertilized, the proportion of mature oocytes transferred, and fertilization of at least one mature oocyte were considered outcomes with fertility potential. RESULTS: Total acrosin activity correlated with both the proportion of mature oocytes fertilized and the proportion of mature oocytes that were transferred as cleaving embryos. Total acrosin activity was higher in cycles when one or more mature oocyte fertilized compared with cycles with failed fertilization of all mature oocytes. CONCLUSIONS: The likelihood ratio for subnormal results indicates that measurement of total acrosin activity is a fair test of the fertilizing capacity of sperm.

Acrosin↗

PubMed1992

Migration sedimentation technique as a predictive test for the fertilizing capacity of spermatozoa in an in-vitro fertilization programme.

The migration-sedimentation technique (MST) has been proposed as a means of separating high quality motile spermatozoa. The present study was conducted in order to evaluate whether sperm performance following separation by MST predicts their fertilizing capacity in an in-vitro fertilization (IVF) programme. Ninety semen specimens were analysed for use in an IVF-embryo transfer (ET) programme. Each specimens was divided into two parts: one was processed in the IVF programme and was used after sperm swim-up separation for insemination of human ova. The other aliquot (0.2 ml) was separated by MST, and the sperm then characterized by their concentration, motility, degree of motility and morphology. Sperm characteristics after separation by MST were then correlated with the results of the IVF-fertilization rates. In 79 of 90 IVF-ET cycles, at least one oocyte was fertilized. All post-MST sperm characteristics were significantly higher in cycles with fertilizations compared to IVF cycles without fertilization. A larger percentage of the total motile spermatozoa were recovered after MST in semen specimens with fertilization, compared to semen specimens without fertilization (39.9 +/- 3.6 and 20.6 +/- 6.6%, respectively; P < 0.05). This value was correlated with the percentage of fertilized oocytes (r = 0.24; P < 0.02). More IVF cycles with fertilizations were recorded in cases in which the recovery of motile sperm was > 25% (P < 0.005), or when more than 1.5 x 10(6) motile spermatozoa were recovered after MST (P < 0.0001). As sperm characteristics after MST correlated significantly with their fertilizing capacity, the MST test could be used in evaluation of the fertilizing capacity of spermatozoa.

Cell Separation↗

PubMed1990

The use of rat in vitro fertilization to detect reductions in the fertility of spermatozoa from males exposed to ethylene glycol monomethyl ether.

An in vitro fertilization (IVF) assay sensitive enough to detect changes in the fertilizing capacity of spermatozoa would be a useful tool with which to investigate the action of testicular toxicants. A known testicular toxicant, ethylene glycol monomethyl ether (EGME), was used to induce specific lesions in the germinal epithelium so that the ability of a rat IVF system to detect changes in fertility could be tested. Male rats were given single, oral doses of 50, 100, and 200 mg EGME/kg. Spermatozoa were recovered from the cauda epididymides of these males at intervals after treatment; their fertility was assessed using IVF, and the testes were processed for histologic examination. The fertility of the control males was consistently greater than 65%. Spermatozoa from males treated with EGME had reduced fertility at specific times after dosing. Thus, after 50 mg EGME/kg there was reduced fertility at 5 weeks; after 100 mg EGME/kg there was reduced fertility at 3.5, 4.5, 5, 6, and 6.5 weeks, and after 200 mg EGME/kg there was reduced fertility at 2 and 3 weeks, between 4.5 and 6 weeks, and at 7 weeks. This corresponded to damage to the elongated spermatids (2, 3, and 3.5 weeks), pachytene spermatocytes (4.5 to 6 weeks), and leptotene and preleptotene spermatocytes (7 weeks). This accords well with the data from serial breeding trials and reports of histologic damage after exposure to EGME. Therefore, using IVF it was possible to detect EGME-induced changes in fertilizing capacity which correlated closely with observations of testicular damage. It was also possible to demonstrate a clear dose response to EGME.

Animals↗

PubMed1989

Relationship of bull fertility with daughter fertility and production traits in Holstein dairy cattle.

The phenotypic and genetic correlations between fertility ratings of AI bulls for conception rate and their estimated breeding values for daughters' fertility and production traits were calculated. Genetic correlations between fertility ratings of bulls for conception and heifer fertility traits (age at first breeding, age at last breeding, and number of insemination per conception) were negative and ranged from -.04 to -.23, indicating daughters of bulls with high fertility ratings were younger at first breeding and required fewer services to conceive. In general, genetic correlations between fertility ratings of bulls for conception rate and cow fertility traits (days from calving to first breeding, days open, and number of inseminations per conception) and production traits (breed class average milk and fat and fat percentage) in the first two lactations were also moderate to high and in the favorable direction. Although heritability of both male and female fertility is low, these data indicate that heavy use of sires with high fertility ratings could have a mild positive effect on both male and female fertility. Evidence is also found to indicate that in this breed, selection for increased milk yield should not impair genetic ability of cows to reproduce.

Animals↗

PubMed1990

The use of in vitro fertilization to detect reductions in the fertility of male rats exposed to 1,3-dinitrobenzene.

1,3-Dinitrobenzene (DNB) is an intermediate chemical in the manufacture of dyes and explosives and its toxic effects include specific damage to the Sertoli cells of the testis. This investigation determined the effect a toxic insult to Sertoli cells had on the functional capacity of developing germ cells as assessed by in vitro fertilization. Male rats were given a single, oral dose of 5, 15, or 25 mg DNB/kg. At selected times after treatment, spermatozoa recovered from the cauda epididymidis were tested for fertilizing capacity using in vitro fertilization techniques and the testicular response to DNB was determined by histological examination. Treatment with 15 and 25 mg DNB/kg resulted in substantial exfoliation of germ cells between 0.5 and 3.5 weeks after exposure and again after 4.5 weeks; seminiferous tubules which were not depleted showed signs of disrupted spermatogenesis. Reduced sperm fertilizing capacity in vitro was observed from 1.5 to 5 weeks and between 7.5 and 8.5 weeks after treatment with 15 and 25 mg DNB/kg. There were slight, but significant, reductions in fertility at 3, 5.5, 7.5, and 8.5 weeks after dosing with 5 mg DNB/kg. These data suggested that DNB did not affect all Sertoli cells equally, but acted in a stage-specific manner. Stages III, IV, XII, and XIV were most vulnerable to the toxicant. Germ cells associated with an affected Sertoli cell were usually sloughed off, resulting in lowered fertility at the time when these cells should have reached maturity in the epididymis. The extent of the testicular lesions and the loss of fertility were dose dependent. This investigation confirmed the use of in vitro fertilization to detect the effects of testicular toxicants.

Animals↗

PubMed1989

Modification of the zona-free hamster ova bioassay of boar sperm fertility and correlation with in vivo fertility.

These studies were designed to evaluate the ability of the zona-free hamster ova bioassay to detect differences in fertility of boar sperm. In the first study, sperm from two previously infertile boars were compared to sperm from seven previously fertile boars. The percentage of zona-free hamster ova penetrated by sperm from the previously infertile boars was significantly lower than the percentage of ova penetrated by sperm from previously fertile boars (18% of ova penetrated vs. 83%, P less than .001). In the 14 ejaculates from the previously infertile boars that had ejaculate motilities of 50% or greater, the percentage of zona-free hamster ova penetrated continued to be lower than in ejaculates from the fertile boars. One of the two previously infertile boars consistently had a normal semen analysis. The only two observed manifestations of his reduced fertility were his zero conception rate and the limited ability of his sperm to penetrate zona-free hamster ova. In the second study, females were inseminated with equal numbers of sperm from two previously fertile males and the paternity of offspring determined at birth. The experiment was replicated with four combinations of six boars. A high correlation was observed between the percentage of offspring sired and the ability to penetrate zona-free hamster ova (R = .89). Neither morphology nor the ability of the sperm to undergo an acrosome reaction during in vitro incubation was correlated with fertility in the competitive mating situation. These results suggest the zona-free hamster ova bioassay can improve the in vitro fertility assessment of fresh boar semen.

Animals↗

PubMed1989

Heifer fertility and its relationship with cow fertility and production traits in Holstein dairy cattle.

Breeding receipts from three AI units were merged with Ontario Dairy Herd Improvement Corporation and Record of Performance production records. Data comprised 53,705 heifer, 41,253 lactation 1, 14,688 lactation 2, and 3054 lactation 3 records by daughters of 2150 sires represented in 15,877 herd-year-seasons of birth. Three measures of heifer fertility, three measures of cow fertility, and three measures of production were investigated. Measures of heifer fertility were ages at first and last breeding and number of inseminations per conception. Cow fertility traits were days from calving to first breeding, days open, and number of inseminations per conception. Production traits were breed class average milk, breed class average fat, and fat percentage. Relationships among these nine traits for the first three lactations were estimated using a maximum likelihood multiple-trait procedure. The linear mixed model for each trait included fixed effects of herd-year-season of birth and genetic groups of sire and the random effect of sire. Transformations of the data for nonnormality had no influence on the estimates of genetic and phenotypic parameters. The heritability of .12 for age at first insemination, which was higher than other heifer fertility traits, indicated that selection would result in genetic response. Genetic and phenotypic correlations between heifer fertility and cow fertility and production traits in all three lactations were not different from zero. There was no genetic antagonism between fertility and subsequent production traits.

Animals↗

PubMed1991

[Comparative study of the morpho-functional features of the sperm of fertile and infertile men and their relation to fertilizing ability].

The recent advances in assisted reproduction procedures have helped to the better understanding of the female reproductive physiology and pathology, however, male infertility remains as a poor explained medical problem, nevertheless it occurs in almost 50% of infertile couples. Oligoasthenozoospermia is one of the more common causes of male infertility, therefore we measured in 10 patients with this diagnosis and in 10 fertile euspermic men, besides the parameters included in the standard semen analysis, the quantitative motility (photography method), capacitation-acrosome reaction and the sperm ability to fertilize zona-free hamster oocytes, with the aim to correlate the morphofunctional characteristics of the male gametes with their fertilizing capacity. The results showed significant differences in every parameter studied, including the correlation analysis. In relation with the in vitro induction of the acrosome reaction in both groups, we found significant correlations of the sperm fertilizing ability and the progressive sperm motility with this parameter (fertile group: RS = 0.834, P less than 0.005 & RS = 0.612, P less than 0.05; infertile group: RS = 0.986, P less than 0.001 & RS = 0.536, P less than 0.05 respectively), nevertheless the sperm rate which completed this process was low in relation to the total sperm population even in the fertile men (9.4 +/- 2.0% & 4.4 +/- 2.5% acrosome reacted cells after 18 h of incubation, in the fertile and infertile males respectively). The results also showed the presence of fully capacitated spermatozoa in both groups, since they penetrated the zona-free hamster eggs and decondensed their chromatin (73.9 +/- 13.4% & 10.4 +/- 7.7% penetrated eggs in the euspermic and oligoasthenozoospermic individuals respectively), however, the spermatozoa from the oligoasthenozoospermic men showed low polyspermy indexes too (0.1 penetrated spermatozoa/inseminated oocyte). In this last group we found, in addition, that the mean sperm velocity and the abnormal sperm morphology rate showed significant correlations with the fertilizing ability of the male gametes too (RS = 0.986, P less than 0.005 & RS = -0.942, P less than 0.005. respectively). These data allow us to suggest that before an infertile man is involved in any assisted reproduction program, the presence of possible morphofunctional alterations in the spermatozoa be analyzed, with the aim to be able to make a better prognosis about the success with these patients.

Acrosome↗

PubMed1990

Evaluation of bull semen fertility by homologous in vitro fertilization tests.

In vitro fertilization assays were performed to investigate their validity in evaluating artificial insemination (AI) bull fertility. A total of 1,532 oocytes, collected from ovaries at the abattoir, were subsequently used in a 4 x 6 x 2 factorial design: 4 doses of heparin added into the capacitation and fertilization medium (0; 0.05; 0.1 and 0.2 micrograms/ml), 6 different bulls with known on-field non-return (NR) rates (range: 64.6-75.3%) and 2 different ejaculates for each bull, collected within a approximately 1-month interval. Oocytes were considered fertilized when 2 pronuclei (or more) were seen in the ooplasm. Both the heparin dose and bull exerted a highly significant effect on the in vitro fertilization (IVF) rates which ranged, per oocyte group, from 30-80%; bull x dose of heparin interaction was significant (P less than 0.001). The 0.05 micrograms/ml dose of heparin was optimal for discriminating individual bulls. At that dose, the correlation coefficients between the bulls, NR rates and the IVF rates from each ejaculate (within-bull or the mean of two ejaculates), were highly significant (r = 0.83). The rates of polyspermy were also significantly influenced by bull and heparin dose, but there was no interaction. In conclusion, capacitation and fertilization in a modified Tyrode medium containing 0.05 micrograms/ml of heparin may be a valuable tool for evaluating AI bull fertility.

Animals↗

PubMed1989

Failed fertilization in human in vitro fertilization analyzed with the deoxyribonucleic acid-specific fluorochrome Hoechst 33342.

The degree and normality of nuclear maturation were assessed with the fluorochrome Hoechst 33342 in two groups of inseminated human oocytes that had failed to undergo fertilization. Group 1 consisted of 67 oocytes from 27 patients, each of whom had at least two other oocytes that had been fertilized and had cleaved. Group 2 consisted of 65 oocytes from 14 patients, none of whose oocytes had been fertilized. In group 1, 52.3% of the oocytes were found to be immature (germinal vesicle stage or metaphase-telophase I), whereas in group 2 only 26% were found to be immature. Thus oocyte nuclear immaturity was the major cause of fertilization failure when companion oocytes were fertilized. When no oocytes of a patient were fertilized, most oocytes were found to be mature, so other factors, such as sperm dysfunction or zona binding abnormalities, must account for most of the fertilization failure in this group of patients.

Benzimidazoles↗

PubMed1989

Delayed fertilization during in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer cycles: analysis of causes and impact on overall results.

This study evaluated possible causes of delayed fertilization during in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles, its repetitiveness, and its influence on IVF results in 23 patients (27 cycles) with delayed fertilization of greater than or equal to 1 preovulatory oocyte(s). In 15 cycles, reinsemination with husband's semen was performed at 18 hours. Possible causes of delayed fertilization were oocyte defects (10 cycles, 37.0%), sperm defects (4 cycles, 14.8%), oocyte and sperm defects (4 cycles, 14.8%), and no detectable gamete defects (9 cycles, 33.3%). Overall fertilization rate was 47.9%. No pregnancies were observed in 10 patients with one embryo transferred. Recurrence rate of delayed fertilization per patient was 17.3%; overall ongoing pregnancy rate/cycle was 10.3%. Although repetitiveness of delayed fertilization is low, it seems to impact negatively on IVF results.

Embryo Transfer↗

PubMed1989

Fertilization and cleavage of mouse oocytes exposed to the conditions of human oocyte retrieval for in vitro fertilization.

Ova from two strains of mice (a hybrid-inbred strain, B6D2F1, and a random-bred strain, CD1) were shocked by exposure to environmental conditions possibly encountered by human oocytes retrieved for in vitro fertilization (IVF). Shocked and control mouse ova were fertilized in vitro in either simple or complex media and zygote development to morulae and blastocyst stages compared with that of zygotes fertilized in vivo. Development of the hybrid-inbred zygotes following fertilization in the simple media of shocked and control ova was essentially the same as for ova fertilized in vivo (84 +/- 6.6, 89 +/- 1.6, 87 +/- 6.0% to the 2-cell stage and 89 +/- 5.2, 94 +/- 2.3, 99 +/- 1.0% of two cells to blastocysts, respectively); development in the complex media also was the same following fertilization of shocked and control ova (80 +/- 8.7, 90 +/- 2.7% to two cells and 33 +/- 3.5, 35 +/- 4.5% of two cells to blastocysts, respectively) but lower than that of in vivo zygotes (92 +/- 4.6 to two cells, 58 +/- 4.7 two cells to blastocysts). In contrast, the fertilization and development in the simple media of shocked and control random-bred ova was lower and more variable (90 +/- 5.8, 67 +/- 11.1% to two cells and 17 +/- 8.3, 42 +/- 13.6% two cells to blastocysts, respectively) than the development of in vivo zygotes (96 +/- 1.5% to two cells, 51 +/- 5.5 two cells to blastocysts).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

PubMed1990

Correlation of computerized semen analysis with successful fertilization of oocytes in an in vitro fertilization program.

Sixty-nine couples enrolled in 123 in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer cycles were categorized by percentage fertilization; the results of categorization were compared with those of computerized semen analysis carried out with the CellSoft semen analyzer. Four groups were established: group 1 had 75% fertilization or greater; group 2 had 34% to 74% fertilization; group 3 had 1% to 33% fertilization; and group 4 had 0% fertilization. Statistical differences in certain semen parameters (motility, linearity, and straight-line velocity) were found comparing groups 1 and 3 using the initial ejaculate. A significant number of patients in group 1 had all normal semen parameters, but no statistical difference could be found in group 3 or 4 because of variations in specific abnormal parameters in the groups. When the straight-line velocity-motile density (SLVMD) calculation was used, a significant difference was seen between group 1 and group 3 and between group 1 and group 4 (p less than 0.01); 65% of group 3 and 76% of group 4 had an abnormal SLVMD. SLVMD is a useful calculation to predict fertilization rates in vitro from the initial ejaculate.

Computers↗

PubMed1979

Infertility in the turkey. III. Effects of sera from sterile and fertile females on the fertilizing ability of spermatozoa.

In an attempt to understand the cause for spontaneous infertility in female turkeys, sera were obtained from a flock suffering this condition. These sera, from hens of known fertility, were tested for anti-fertility actions by incubating semen in them. After incubation, semen was inseminated into unrelated recipient hens. In the first of two experiments, semen incubated in sera from high fertility hens (average 89%) produced a fertility level of 72.7% over an 8 week period while semen incubated in sera from sterile hens significantly reduced fertility to 52.3%. In a second experiment sera from sterile donors again caused a significant reduction in the fertilizing ability of sperm (56.3% for sera from sterile hens vs. 73.5% for sera from high fertility hens). These results indicate the presence of a factor(s) in the sera of sterile hens which may be causally related to their infertility.

Animals↗

PubMed1990

Fertility desires and fertility: hers, his, and theirs.

The relationship between desired and achieved fertility may be misspecified by excluding husbands' fertility desires or by confounding effects of shared desires with the resolution of conflicting desires. Using couple data from the classic Princeton Fertility Surveys, we find relatively large husband effects on fertility outcomes as well as unique effects of spousal disagreement. Wives and husbands were equally likely to achieve fertility desires, and disagreeing couples experienced fertility rates midway between couples who wanted the same smaller or larger number of children. These conditions do not hold, however, when we include willingness to delay births for economic mobility as part of the measure of fertility desires. Among couples who both wanted a third child, only husbands' willingness to delay births had significant negative effects on birth rates.

Birth Rate↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Individual fertility rate: a new individual fertility measure for small populations.

Fertility measurement in small preindustrial societies is hampered by small numbers and the lack of some essential data. Most measures of fertility are collective and require large enough populations to permit grouped data analysis. Existing individual measures of fertility are often unsatisfactory. This paper presents a new measure of individual fertility, the Individual Fertility Rate (IFR), which is constructed by dividing parity by reproductive span in years and multiplying the product by 100. The result is a number which may be used as a dependent individual or cumulative variable to study the effects of health and socioeconomic factors on fertility.

Adult↗