TERATOZOOSPERMIA AND IN-VITRO FERTILIZATION - A RANDOMIZED PROSPECTIVE-STUDY

A prospective randomized study was conducted to assess the prognostic value of sperm morphology in an in-vitro fertilization (IVF) programme , using strict criteria. The first group (T, teratozoospermic) include d 32 couples with an isolated teratozoospermia in the male partner (mo rphology <9 % normal). The second group (C, control) contained 36 coup les with normal semen parameters, including morphology (> 9% normal, s trict criteria). In both groups, 50 IVF cycles were performed. Patient s were matched for indication for IVF. There was no difference between the two groups regarding age, duration of infertility, stimulation pr otocol, catheter used for embryo transfer and different sperm paramete rs. A statistically significant difference between the T and C groups respectively was observed regarding the fertilization rate (69.2 and 7 9.4%, P < 0.05), pregnancy rate per cycle (12.0 and 42%, P < 0.001), t he pregnancy rate per transfer (13.9 and 42.0%, P < 0.01) and per embr yo transferred (6.1 and 14.8%, P < 0.05). No pregnancy occurred in the poor prognosis group (morphology <5% normal). In cases of moderate te ratozoospermia, the fertilization rate appeared normal (78.6%) but the conception rate remained low. We concluded that the use of strict cri teria in the assessment of sperm morphology is useful in predicting fe rtilization and pregnancy rate in the human in-vitro model.