J H Check1, R Long, J Allen, L Hoover. 1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School at Camden, USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine if the controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) regimen may cause sperm to appear subfertile only to improve considerably by changing the COH protocol. DESIGN: Case report with retrospective review of previous fertilization rates according to COH protocol used. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Fertilization and pregnancy rates (PRs) after IVF-ET. RESULTS: Known fertile donor sperm failed to fertilize any of 11 oocytes compared with 14 of 18 for processed retrograde ejaculate using the same oocyte pool. Retrospective analysis of other cycles for different female patients but same donor found 16.6% fertilization rate whenever luteal phase leuprolide acetate (LA)-hMG regimen was used compared with 70.6% with short-flare regimen. CONCLUSION: Some COH regimens may cause oocyte or zona pellucida changes that create recognition defects for some sperm but not others. Interestingly, the sperm with the binding defect with the luteal phase LA-hMG COH protocol exhibited good fertilization rates with oocytes prepared with the short-flare protocol and demonstrated high in vivo PRs after IUI.
OBJECTIVE: To determine if the controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) regimen may cause sperm to appear subfertile only to improve considerably by changing the COH protocol. DESIGN: Case report with retrospective review of previous fertilization rates according to COH protocol used. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Fertilization and pregnancy rates (PRs) after IVF-ET. RESULTS: Known fertile donor sperm failed to fertilize any of 11 oocytes compared with 14 of 18 for processed retrograde ejaculate using the same oocyte pool. Retrospective analysis of other cycles for different female patients but same donor found 16.6% fertilization rate whenever luteal phase leuprolide acetate (LA)-hMG regimen was used compared with 70.6% with short-flare regimen. CONCLUSION: Some COH regimens may cause oocyte or zona pellucida changes that create recognition defects for some sperm but not others. Interestingly, the sperm with the binding defect with the luteal phase LA-hMG COH protocol exhibited good fertilization rates with oocytes prepared with the short-flare protocol and demonstrated high in vivo PRs after IUI.