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Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection Increases Embryo Fragmentation Without Affecting Clinical Outcome

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Abstract

Purpose: To examine the effect of intracytoplasmic sperminjection (ICSI) on embryo fragmentation and implantationrates in those embryos chosen for transfer compared toconventional in vitro fertilization (IVF).

Methods: We compared 253 infertility patients (71 ICSI and182 IVF) with respect to age, semen analysis, number ofembryos transferred, embryo fragmentation, implantationrate, and pregnancy rate. Embryo fragmentation wasdetermined by one observer at the same laboratory over the entirestudy period.

Results: A statistically significant difference was observedin mean embryo grade between IVF (2.2 ± 0.84) and ICSI(2.5 ± 0.77), P = 0.01. Additionally, the IVF patients hadsignificantly more nonfragmented (grade I) embryoscompared to the ICSI group, P < 0.01.

Conclusions: These data suggest that ICSI, irrespective ofsemen parameters, may increase embryo fragmentation andproduce fewer nonfragmented grade I embryos while maintaining implantation and pregnancy rates similar toconventional IVF.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Combined Federal Program for Reproductive Endocrinology at WRAMC, NNMC, USUHS, and NIH, Bethesda, MD

    John L. Frattarelli, Mark P. Leondires, Bradley T. Miller & James H. Segars

  2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, 6825 16th Street NW, Washington, DC, 20307-5001

    John L. Frattarelli

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  1. John L. Frattarelli
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  2. Mark P. Leondires
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  3. Bradley T. Miller
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  4. James H. Segars
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Frattarelli, J.L., Leondires, M.P., Miller, B.T. et al. Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection Increases Embryo Fragmentation Without Affecting Clinical Outcome. J Assist Reprod Genet 17, 207–212 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1009439800398

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1009439800398

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