Assisted reproductive technology cycles involving male factor infertility in the United States, 2017–2018: data from the National Assisted Reproductive Technology Surveillance System

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection hampers fertilization rate and pregnancy per initiated cycle in patients with extremely poor ovarian response

PURPOSE

To compare the clinical outcomes of extremely poor responders with one or two oocytes who receive in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).

METHODS

A retrospective study was carried out on 2572 patients with one or two oocytes retrieved from 2013 to 2022, of which 2159 patients were scheduled to receive IVF treatment and 413 patients were scheduled to receive ICSI treatment. The laboratory parameters and clinical outcomes were compared with adjusted multivariate regression and propensity score (PS) matching.

RESULTS

In both matched and non-matched cohorts, The ICSI group had a significantly higher total fertilization failure (TFF) rate and lower multiple fertilization rate than the IVF group (P < 0.05). After matching, the cumulative pregnancy rate per initiated cycle in the IVF group was significantly higher than in the ICSI group (28.7% vs 21.7, P < 0.05). However, the difference in cumulative live births did not reach statistical significance (21.2% vs 17.2%, P > 0.05). The adjusted odds ratios for TFF, cumulative pregnancy, and cumulative live birth comparing ICSI versus IVF in multivariate models were 1.65(95% CI: 1.12, 2.43), 0.65(95% CI: 0.46, 0.91), and 0.76(95% CI: 0.55, 1.04), respectively.

CONCLUSION

In poor responders with one or two oocytes retrieved, ICSI insemination cannot avoid TFF, and it may hamper the cumulative pregnancy rate.

Effects of fasting hyperglycemia in men on pregnancy outcomes of singleton pregnant women with cryo-thawed embryo transfer

BACKGROUND

The relationship of metabolic issues to pregnancy outcomes during assisted reproductive technology (ART) is gaining much attention. Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG) is one of the most common metabolic indicators. Abnormal FPG not only affects the quality of life of human body, but also has a bearing on reproductive health. However, most attentions are paid on women's physical health and reproductive assessment, the health status of the male partner on pregnancy outcomes during ART treatment is often neglected. This study investigated whether male fasting hyperglycemia (FH, FPG > 6.1 mmol/L) can affect live birth rates (LBR) in singleton intrauterine clinical pregnancy women with cryo-thawed embryo transfer (CET) cycles.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A retrospective cohort study (370 CET cycles with first singleton clinical intrauterine pregnancy and grouped by male FPG) was conducted to analyze the relationship between male FH and clinical pregnancy outcomes using binary logistic regression; the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated as a measure of relevancy. Live birth rate was the main outcome measure.

RESULTS

The live birth rate (LBR) was significantly lower [58.6% vs. 81.8%, P = 0.007, adjusted OR 0.635, 95% CI 0.456-0.884] and miscarriage rate (MR) was significantly higher [41.4% vs. 18.2%, P = 0.007, adjusted OR 1.575, 95% CI 1.131-2.195] in the FH group when compared with the Con group. There was no difference in healthy baby rate [88.2% vs. 89.6%, P = 0.058, adjusted OR 2.143, 95% CI 0.974-4.716] or abnormal birth weight rate (23.5% vs. 11.8%, P = 0.238, adjusted OR 2.859, 95% CI 0.777-10.460] between the FH and control group. No birth defects were observed in the present study.

CONCLUSION

Male FH is an independent risk factor for lower LBR and higher MR in singleton intrauterine pregnancy women with CET cycles.