Predictive factors for pregnancy after controlled ovarian stimulation and intrauterine insemination: A retrospective analysis of 4146 cycles.

BACKGROUND: The variability in indications and low rate of pregnancy compared to IVF have led many authors to dismiss IUI and offer IVF first-line instead. OBJECTIVES: To determine what are the predictive factors for clinical pregnancy (CP) and live birth (LB) in intrauterine insemination (IUI) cycles following controlled ovarian stimulation (COS). METHODS: Retrospective unicentric study, between January 2009 and December 2016. Patients aged 18 to <43 years who had an IUI following COS with gonadotropins. Statistical analysis was performed using Chi square and logistic regression. RESULTS: 4146 cycles (1312 couples) included. Mean age was 34.7 +/- 4years. LBR per couple was 39% for anovulatory infertility compared to (p < 0.05) unex-plained infertility (28.6%), mixed (23.4%), male factor (20.1%), unilateral tubal (14.2%), low ovarian reserve (13.2%), and endometriosis (stage I and II) (11.1%). Multivariate analysis showed the following factors were associated with CP: Cycle rank ≤3 (Odds ratio (OR) = 1.5, 95% CI: 1.2-1.9, p < 0.001), age <38 years (OR = 1.5, 95% CI: 1.2-2, p < 0.001), ≥2 preovulatory follicles (OR = 1.4, 95% CI: 1.1-1.8, p = 0.004), TMSC ≥ 5 millions (OR = 1.8, 95% CI: 1.3-2.4, p < 0.001). Endometriosis, low ovarian reserve, unilateral tubal and male factor had a negative impact on CPR (OR = 0.3, 95% CI: 0.1-0.5, p < 0.001; OR = 0.4, 95% CI: 0.3-0.7, p < 0.001; OR = 0.5 95% CI: 0.3-0.9, p = 0.01; OR = 0.6, 95% CI: 0.4-0.8, p = 0.002 respectively) compared to anovulatory infertility. CONCLUSION: We confirm that IUI can be an efficient treatment in selected indications. Young patients with anovulatory infertility seem to be the ideal candidates, with a 39% LBR per couple.

Is intracouple assisted reproductive technology an option for men with large-headed spermatozoa? A literature review and a decision guide proposal.

Although the presence of spermatozoa with an abnormally large head is rare, it is associated with low fertility or even total infertility. We reviewed the literature on assisted reproductive technology (ART) strategies and outcomes for men with large-headed spermatozoa. We also discuss additional analyses that can usefully characterize sperm defects and help with the choice between intra-couple ART and insemination with donor sperm. Lastly, we propose a classification for cases of large-headed spermatozoa.

La présence de spermatozoïdes macrocéphales est généralement associée à une hypofertilité ou une infertilité. Nous présentons une revue de la littérature concernant les stratégies de prise en charge en aide médicale à la procréation et leurs issues lorsque l'analyse du sperme met en évidence la présence de spermatozoïdes macrocéphales. Nous discutons également les examens complémentaires permettant de mieux caractériser ces anomalies spermatiques et de choisir entre l'aide médicale à la procréation avec ou sans donneur de sperme. Enfin nous proposons ici une classification pour les cas de spermatozoides macrocephales avec pour les 6 types définis une proposition de prise en charge.

Chronic excessive alcohol consumption and male fertility: a case report on reversible azoospermia and a literature review.

AIMS: The aim of this work was to report on a heavy drinker whose azoospermia was reversed after alcohol withdrawal. We also review the literature on links between alcohol consumption and azoospermia. METHOD: This study is a clinical case report and a literature review. RESULTS: Two years after alcohol withdrawal, a child was born following assisted reproduction technique. Excessive alcohol consumption (i.e. more than 60 g a day) is strongly associated with azoospermia and this condition may be reversible after alcohol withdrawal. CONCLUSIONS: Testicular biopsies should be countra-indicated for heavy drinkers, and in order to increase the chances of obtaining a pregnancy, alcohol abstinence should be encouraged in male with low-to-moderate alcohol intakes.

Contraindication of ART following a sperm FISH analysis, even though only 12% of the spermatozoa had enlarged heads.

We report on a couple with a five-year history of idiopathic primary infertility. Two early miscarriages had followed intrauterine insemination (IUI). The man's fertility was then re-evaluated, in order to establish whether or not IUI was the best treatment option. Although the semen parameters were normal (sperm concentration: 89 million/ml; progressive motility: 40%; percentage of typical forms: 20%), a computer-assisted sperm morphology analysis with strict criteria found that 12% of the spermatozoa had enlarged heads. All of the latter had a normal form and none had multiple flagella. Using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis, we found that the proportion of aneuploid and diploid spermatozoa was 78% for the sample as a whole and 68% for normally-shaped spermatozoa with a normal-sized head. Although treatment options are well documented for men with macrocephalic sperm head syndrom, there is no consensus on individuals with a low but non-negligible proportion of spermatozoa with enlarged heads. Here, our FISH results contraindicated the use of assisted reproductive technology with the man's sperm. The couple decided to resort to donor sperm.

The nature of human sperm head vacuoles: a systematic literature review.

Motile sperm organelle morphology examination (MSOME) involves the use of differential interference contrast microscopy (also called Nomarski contrast) at high magnification (at least 6300x) to improve the observation of live human spermatozoa. In fact, this technique evidences sperm head vacuoles that are not necessarily seen at lower magnifications - particularly if the vacuoles are small (i.e. occupying <4% of the sperm head's area). However, a decade after MSOME's introduction, it is still not clear whether sperm head vacuoles are nuclear, acrosomal and/or membrane-related in nature. In an attempt to clarify this debate, we performed a systematic literature review in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. The PubMed database was searched from 2001 onwards with the terms "MSOME", "human sperm vacuoles", "high-magnification, sperm". Out of 180 search results, 21 relevant English-language publications on the nature of human sperm head vacuoles were finally selected and reviewed. Our review of the literature prompted us to conclude that sperm-head vacuoles are nuclear in nature and are related to chromatin condensation failure and (in some cases) sperm DNA damage.

Le MSOME (motile sperm organelle morphology examination) est une technique d'observation des spermatozoïdes mobiles à fort grossissement (>6300x) à l'aide du contraste interférentiel différentiel de Nomarski. Avec cette technique, des anomalies de la tête spermatique comme les vacuoles peuvent être observées alors qu'elles demeurent souvent invisibles à plus faible grossissement, notamment quand elles sont petites et qu'elles occupent moins de 4% de la surface de la tête. Depuis l'introduction du MSOME dans les années 2000, plusieurs études se sont intéressées à la nature des vacuoles. Sont-elles de nature nucléaire ? de nature acrosomique ? de nature membranaire ? Pour répondre à ces questions, nous avons réalisé une revue de la littérature en suivant les règles PRISMA. Les études publiées sur le sujet entre 2001 et aujourd'hui ont été recherchées dans la base Pubmed en utilisant les mots clés : "MSOME", "human sperm vacuoles" et "high-magnification, sperm". Parmi les 180 études retrouvées, 21 publications écrites en langue Anglaise et traitant de la nature des vacuoles spermatiques ont été sélectionnées et étudiées. Au total, cette revue de la littérature conclut que les vacuoles sont de nature nucléaire, en lien avec une moindre condensation de la chromatine spermatique. Cette moindre condensation chromatinienne représentant un facteur de susceptibilité aux dommages de l'ADN (fragmentation, dénaturation par exemple), les spermatozoïdes vacuolés peuvent aussi présenter plus de dommages de l'ADN que les spermatozoïdes sans vacuole.

Can intracytoplasmic morphologically selected sperm injection be used to select normal-sized sperm heads in infertile patients with macrocephalic sperm head syndrome?

OBJECTIVE: To study the chromosomal content of spermatozoa selected by intracytoplasmic morphologically selected sperm injection (IMSI) in cases of macrocephalic sperm head syndrome. DESIGN: Case report. SETTING: Obstetrics, gynecology, urology, and reproductive biology departments. PATIENT(S): Two infertile patients with large-headed spermatozoa. INTERVENTION(S): Fluorescence in situ hybridization on selected spermatozoa with normal-sized heads after IMSI selection. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Percentages of polyploid, diploid, haploid aneuploid, and normal spermatozoa. RESULT(S): Of the six spermatozoa that could be selected, all were haploid but aneuploid. CONCLUSION(S): Absence of normal haploid spermatozoa among high magnification-selected spermatozoa contraindicated IMSI for these two patients.

Meiotic segregation of X-autosome translocation in two carriers and implications for assisted reproduction.

The aim of this study was to analyse and compare the meiotic segregation of X-autosome translocation in two male carriers and to discuss couple-specific treatment modality before intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Meiotic segregation was analysed by fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH) in spermatozoa of two men who were carriers of a X-autosome translocation: 46,Y,t(X;2)(p21;p25.3) (patient 1) and 46,Y,t(X;18)(qll;pl1.1) (patient 2). The results indicated a majority of unbalanced spermatozoa (62.05%) for patient 1, but normal or balanced spermatozoa (54.36%) for patient 2. Moreover, the unbalanced gametes resulted from adjacent I, adjacent II and 3:1 segregation, in decreasing frequencies, for patient 1 but from 3:1, adjacent I, adjacent II segregation for patient 2. The results of the meiotic segregation analysis had different treatment implications for assisted reproduction. Couple 1 were advised against ICSI, due to the results of the meiotic segregation in spermatozoa from patient 1 and the age of his wife. For couple 2, the clinic viewed favourably an attempt with ICSI followed by conventional prenatal diagnosis. A 46,XY child was born without malformations.

Chromosomal analysis of spermatozoa with normal-sized heads in two infertile patients with macrocephalic sperm head syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To study the chromosomal content of spermatozoa that could be selected for intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in cases of macrocephalic sperm head syndrome. DESIGN: Case report. SETTING: Obstetrics, gynecology, urology, and reproductive biology departments. PATIENT(S): Two infertile patient candidates for ICSI presenting with total teratozoospermia (100%) with mainly large-headed spermatozoa (91% and 82%, respectively). INTERVENTION(S): Fluorescence in situ hybridization with X, Y, 18 centromeric probes on unselected spermatozoa (all migrated spermatozoa) and specifically on selected spermatozoa with normal-sized heads. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Percentage of polyploid, diploid, aneuploid, and normal haploid spermatozoa, according to X, Y, 18 chromosome centromeric probes on selected spermatozoa (head size compatible with ICSI). RESULT(S): All the nonselected spermatozoa were abnormal, diploid, or polyploid. The rate of normal ploidy (haploid cells) among the selected sperm population was 1 per 28 for patient 1 and 5 per 51 for patient 2. CONCLUSION(S): This very low proportion of normal haploid spermatozoa among selected spermatozoa contraindicated ICSI for the two patients. We suggest performance of this selection and analysis before including (or not), in an ICSI program, patients with macrocephalic sperm head syndrome, associated or not with preimplantation genetic diagnosis.

Effects of low concentrations of inhibin B on the outcomes of testicular sperm extraction and intracytoplasmic sperm injection.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of undetectable inhibin B concentrations on the outcomes of testicular sperm extraction (TESE) and of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: Obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive biology departments. PATIENT(S): We carried out TESE on 75 men with nonobstructive azoospermia: 42 men had an inhibin B concentration of or = 15 pg/mL (group 2). Twenty-five ICSI cycles were carried out using sperm from men in group 1 (group A1), and 35 ISCI cycles were carried out using sperm from men in group 2 (group A2). The outcomes of ICSI in groups A1 and A2 were compared with those of 81 ICSI cycles performed for obstructive azoospermia (group B). INTERVENTION(S): Testicular sperm extraction, testicular spermatozoa cryopreservation, and ICSI. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Testicular sperm extraction outcome, pregnancy, and delivery. RESULT(S): Sperm were significantly less likely to be successfully recovered from men in group 1 than from those in group 2 (21% vs. 48%). The inhibin B concentration was significantly lower in men in whom TESE failed, but the FSH concentration did not differ. The implantation rate per embryo transferred was twofold lower in group A1 (7.4%) than in group B (16%), but this difference is not statistically significant. CONCLUSION(S): Patients with undetectable inhibin B concentration should be informed of the low chances of positive testicular biopsy, and more embryos should be transferred to improve the success rate.

Successful pregnancy and delivery after testicular sperm extraction despite an undetectable concentration of serum inhibin B in a patient with nonobstructive azoospermia.

OBJECTIVE: To describe a successful pregnancy and delivery after testicular sperm extraction (TESE) despite an undetectable concentration of serum inhibin B in a man with nonobstructive azoospermia. DESIGN: Case report. SETTING: Obstetrics and gynecology and reproductive biology departments. PATIENT(S): A 31-year-old woman and a 32-year-old man with nonobstructive azoospermia and an undetectable inhibin B serum level. INTERVENTION(S): TESE, testicular spermatozoa cryopreservation, intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Pregnancy and delivery. RESULT(S): Successful pregnancy and delivery of a normal healthy child following a third ICSI cycle with frozen-thawed spermatozoa extracted from the testis. CONCLUSION(S): This case report shows that there is no minimal level of inhibin B below which TESE is always unsuccessful. The delivery of a normal healthy baby is strong evidence to perform TESE in these circumstances.