Influence of sperm parameters on embryo quality.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the influence of sperm defects on embryo quality.

DESIGN

Retrospective study.

SETTING

In vitro fertilization center.

PATIENTS

Embryo transfers (710) from IVF attempts for tubal disease (626) or male infertility (84).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Embryo morphology as a function of causes of infertility, semen, and follicular growth parameters. Embryos were classified into three groups according to their morphology.

RESULTS

Transfers of embryos with good morphology were associated to a higher pregnancy rate (34%) than those with intermediate (24%) and poor (10%) morphology. Transfers of embryos with a poor morphology were more frequent (26 of 84 versus 114 of 626) and those with a fair aspect were less frequent (24 of 84 versus 229 of 626) in male infertility than in tubal disease. Embryos with a poor morphology were associated with lower percentage of morphologically normal sperms (62% +/- 19% versus 67% +/- 18%; means +/- SD) and a higher percentage of abnormalities of the postacrosomial region (29% +/- 15% versus 18% +/- 7%). Moreover, sperms with counts < 10 x 10(6)/mL were associated with a lower percentage of embryos with good morphology (18% versus 37%) than sperms with counts > or = 10 x 10(6)/mL.

CONCLUSION

Embryo quality is influenced by the semen quality and especially by sperm head abnormalities, suggesting an important role of the male gamete on the early stages of embryogenesis.