POLYPLOIDY AND FAILED FERTILIZATION IN IN-VITRO FERTILIZATION ARE RELATED TO PATIENTS AGE AND GAMETE QUALITY

A review of 392 cycles of in-vitro fertilization (IVF) was carried out in order to identify whether any factors such as sperm concentration at insemination, sperm motility or morphology, oocyte grading, number of oocytes retrieved, patient age, follicular stimulation protocols or duration of follicular growth, could be associated with the incidence of polyploidy or completely failed fertilization. The majority of pol ypronuclear fertilizations occurred in mature oocytes and in patients <37 years of age and the incidence of polyploidy was strongly associat ed with fertilization and pregnancy rates. Fertilization rates were hi ghest with mature oocytes. A significant linear trend was observed wit h failed fertilization and sperm concentration, morphology and motilit y. High rates of failed fertilization were found in patients >37 years of age and with one to five oocytes retrieved. No significant differe nce was seen in stimulation protocols and oocyte grading between oocyt es that fertilized and those that did not. Cycles with good sperm morp hology and motility, the presence of mature oocytes, the retrieval of a large number of oocytes and younger maternal age seem to provide the best chance for IVF success.