Pregnancies after ICSI using sperm with abnormal head-tail junction from two brothers: case report

Hum Reprod. 2003 Mar;18(3):562-7. doi: 10.1093/humrep/deg121.

Abstract

We report ICSI pregnancies in two couples with a history of long standing primary infertility in which the sperm of the male partner were either acephalic or had abnormal head-midpiece attachments. The two couples, in which the men are brothers, underwent ICSI. Sperm were analysed by transmission electron microscopy and immunocytochemistry with an anti-MPM2 monoclonal antibody. The first couple underwent two ICSI cycles, each consisting of the injection of two mature oocytes and the transfer of two embryos. A successful pregnancy occurred after the second transfer and led to the birth to a healthy girl. The second couple underwent three ICSI cycles, each consisting of the injection of 18 oocytes and the transfer of two embryos; the last of these led to a triple ongoing pregnancy which included two identical twins. Caesarean section led to the birth of three fetal-growth restricted children. This case report demonstrates that ongoing pregnancies can be achieved in cases of abnormal development of the head-neck attachment. The genetic origin of this syndrome is generally accepted, but the phenotypic heterogeneity observed by light and electron microscopy among published cases suggests that there are a variety of genetic causes of this syndrome.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Cell Cycle Proteins*
  • Embryo Transfer
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Infertility, Male / genetics*
  • Infertility, Male / metabolism
  • Infertility, Male / therapy*
  • Kinesins
  • Male
  • Microscopy, Electron
  • Phosphoproteins / metabolism
  • Pregnancy Outcome
  • Pregnancy Rate
  • Pregnancy*
  • Pregnancy, Multiple
  • Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic*
  • Spermatozoa / abnormalities*
  • Spermatozoa / ultrastructure
  • Triplets

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Cell Cycle Proteins
  • Phosphoproteins
  • KIF20B protein, human
  • Kinesins