![Sample our Bioscience journals, sign in here to start your access, Latest two full volumes FREE to you for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/5925/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Bioscience.jpg"})
ABSTRACT
To assess whether high magnification sperm head vacuole examination (SHVE) and/or standard sperm morphology assessment can predict ICSI outcomes in terms of fertilization, embryo quality, and delivery rates, a prospective observational bicentric study was conducted in two publicly funded assisted reproductive technology (ART) units in France between January and July of 2012. A total of 111 ICSI cycles for exclusively male infertility factors were included. A Spearman’s correlation test was performed to validate SHVE reproducibility between the ART units. The normal morphology rate and SHVE performed on selected spermatozoa were respectively determined according to David’s and Vanderzwalmen’s classifications used for motile sperm organelle morphology examination (MSOME) on the day of the ICSI. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to determine thresholds associated with the occurrence of a delivery. There was an excellent correlation between the two operators (r=0.98), thus validating the study’s SHVE data. Percentages of normal morphology grade spermatozoa using the standard classification and first-best morphology grade spermatozoa determined by SHVE were not significantly associated with (i) delivery (p=0.58; 0.90 /area under curve (AUC) =0.532; 0.507), (ii) fertilization (p=0.88; 0.90), (iii) top-quality embryos (p=0.27; 0.98), and (iv) good quality embryo rates (p=0.73; 0.98), respectively. In conclusion, high magnification SHVE and standard sperm morphology assessment cannot predict clinical or biological ICSI outcomes.
Abbreviations: ART: assisted reproductive technology; HBV: hepatitis B virus; HCV: hepatitis C virus; HIV: human immunodeficiency virus; ICSI: intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection; IVF: in vitro fertilization; LNVs: large nuclear vacuoles; MSOME: motile sperm organelle morphology examination; SHVE: sperm head vacuole examination; WHO: World Health Organization
Declaration of interest
The authors report no conflict of interest.
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Khaled Pocate-Cheriet
Performed the experiments and wrote the manuscript: KPC, IH; Analyzed data: RP; Assisted with conventional morphology assessments: VBL; Assisted with the MSOME: NS, CH; Designed the study, revised the manuscript, and approved the final draft: CS, JPW.
Ilan Heilikman
Performed the experiments and wrote the manuscript: KPC, IH; Analyzed data: RP; Assisted with conventional morphology assessments: VBL; Assisted with the MSOME: NS, CH; Designed the study, revised the manuscript, and approved the final draft: CS, JPW.
Raphael Porcher
Performed the experiments and wrote the manuscript: KPC, IH; Analyzed data: RP; Assisted with conventional morphology assessments: VBL; Assisted with the MSOME: NS, CH; Designed the study, revised the manuscript, and approved the final draft: CS, JPW.
Virginie Barraud-Lange
Performed the experiments and wrote the manuscript: KPC, IH; Analyzed data: RP; Assisted with conventional morphology assessments: VBL; Assisted with the MSOME: NS, CH; Designed the study, revised the manuscript, and approved the final draft: CS, JPW.
Nathalie Sermondade
Performed the experiments and wrote the manuscript: KPC, IH; Analyzed data: RP; Assisted with conventional morphology assessments: VBL; Assisted with the MSOME: NS, CH; Designed the study, revised the manuscript, and approved the final draft: CS, JPW.
Charlene Herbemont
Performed the experiments and wrote the manuscript: KPC, IH; Analyzed data: RP; Assisted with conventional morphology assessments: VBL; Assisted with the MSOME: NS, CH; Designed the study, revised the manuscript, and approved the final draft: CS, JPW.
Jean Philippe Wolf
Performed the experiments and wrote the manuscript: KPC, IH; Analyzed data: RP; Assisted with conventional morphology assessments: VBL; Assisted with the MSOME: NS, CH; Designed the study, revised the manuscript, and approved the final draft: CS, JPW.
Christophe Sifer
Performed the experiments and wrote the manuscript: KPC, IH; Analyzed data: RP; Assisted with conventional morphology assessments: VBL; Assisted with the MSOME: NS, CH; Designed the study, revised the manuscript, and approved the final draft: CS, JPW.