Comparison of intracytoplasmic sperm injection and preselected intracytoplasmic sperm injection by time-lapse monitoring

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To compare the methods of fertilization using intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and preselected intracytoplasmic sperm injection (PICSI) via the assessment of time parameters during an early development of embryos by the timelapse monitoring system. STUDY DESIGN: In total, 258 embryos destined for embryo transfer by 136 couples undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle with donated oocytes were evaluated retrospectively. The first patient group underwent the PICSI fertilization method and the second group the ICSI method. Exact time parameters of early embryo development were compared. RESULTS: The chance of clinical pregnancy is slightly decreased with the increasing time when the embryo has reached the 8-cell stage (p=0.017). Clinical pregnancy rate for the PICSI method was 54.9% and 50% for the ICSI method (odds ratio=1.216, 95% CI 0.611-2.42, p=0.065). By using the PICSI method there was a 22% greater chance of clinical pregnancy. This increase is not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Our findings noted an important contribution of the PICSI method. We will continue to monitor the development of the pregnancy arising from this study, in order to contribute to a clarification whether the sperm bound to hyaluronic acid increases the chance of maintaining a pregnancy and carrying the fetus to term.