Embryological and clinical outcomes in couples with severe male factor infertility versus normozoospermia

Objective: This study evaluated embryological and clinical outcomes in couples with severe male factor infertility versus those with normozoospermia undergoing ICSI and in vitro fertilisation.

Methods: This multicentre, retrospective cohort study included all couples who had undergone autologous ICSI cycles at My Duc Hospital and My Duc Phu Nhuan Hospital in Vietnam between January 2018 and January 2021 (female age < 35 years and males with severe male factor or normozoospermia based on the World Health Organization 2010 criteria). The primary outcome was the cumulative live birth rate after the first ICSI cycle.

Results: A total of 1296 couples were included, including 648 with severe male factor infertility and 648 with normozoospermia. The number of two pronuclei zygotes, embryos, and frozen embryos was significantly lower in couples with severe male factor infertility compared with normozoospermia (p < 0.05). In contrast, there were no significant differences between the two groups with respect to cumulative pregnancy outcomes, including the live birth rate, and secondary outcomes including clinical pregnancy rate, ongoing pregnancy rate, and miscarriage rate.

Conclusion: Severe male factor infertility appeared to have an impact on the fertilisation and early developmental potential of embryos, but sperm quality did not affect cumulative clinical fertility outcomes.