O-249 The impact of semen parameters on ICSI and pregnancy outcomes in egg recipient cycles with PGT-A
Authors: Grammatis A , Pappas A , Kokkali G , Pantos K , Vlahos N 
Published: June 2022

Study question

To assess the effect of male factor on ICSI and pregnancy outcomes in egg recipient cycles combined with preimplantation aneuploidy testing

Summary answer

In egg donor cycles where sperm was obtained from azoospermic men there was a significant effect on ART and clinical outcomes.

What is known already

The increased incidence of chromosomal problems in men with azoospermia and its correlation with chromosomally abnormal embryos and with adverse pregnancy outcomes has been shown by multiple studies. Nevertheless, few studies in the literature outline the impact of non-obstructive azoospermia in the subgroup of couples who opt to use donated eggs.

The egg donation model offers an opportunity to isolate the male factor and evaluate its impact on IVF-ICSI and pregnancy outcomes.

The aim of our study was to study the effect of non-obstructive azoospermia(NOA) on ICSI outcomes compared with oligoasthenozoospermia(OATS) and moderate male factor(MMF) infertility, from ART parameters to clinical outcomes.

Study design, size, duration

This is a retrospective longitudinal cohort study involving 1,594 ICSI cycles using donor eggs performed between January 2016 and May 2020.

The cohort was divided into three groups according to the male partner’s sperm parameters: couples with NOA accounting for 479 cycles (30%); couples with OAT-S (sperm number &lt;5 x 106/ml), accounting for 442 cycles (27.8%); couples with moderate male factor, with sperm number &gt;_5 x 106/ml and &lt;15 x 106/ml, accounting for 673 cycles (42.2%).

Participants/materials, setting, methods

Participants:

Subfertile couples who opted to use donor eggs. Donor eggs were utilized, due to history of severe female infertility, including low ovarian reserve, poor response to ovarian stimulation, repeated IVF failures or premature ovarian failure.

Setting:

Private IVF Unit

Intervention:

ICSI with ejaculated/surgically retrieved sperm, blastocyst culture, PGT-A and frozen-thawed euploid embryo transfer.

Outcomes:

The primary outcomes were live birth, fertilization, blastocyst development and euploidy rates; the secondary outcomes were clinical pregnancy, miscarriage rates, preterm labour and SGA.

Main results and the role of chance

The fertilization rate was significantly reduced in the NOA group as compared to the OATS and the MMF group: 30.3% versus 63% and 77.3%. Logistic regression analysis adjusted for confounders highlighted NOA as a negative predictor of obtaining an euploid blastocyst per inseminated oocyte. When the analysis was performed per obtained blastocyst, no correlation between male factor and euploidy rate was observed.

The clinical pregnancy rates were similar in the MMF and OATS group, but significantly lower in the NOA group (38.2% versus 36.3% and 29.5% respectively). The miscarriage rate in the NOA group was 11.8%; higher than the OATS and MMF group (7% and 2.7%). The live birth rate per ET was significantly lower in the NOA group compared to the OATS and the MMF group (20.4% vs 30.3% and 35.4%,p&lt;0.05). The live birth rate was significantly lower in the OATS group compared to the MMF group(p &lt; 0.05).

The risk of preterm labour was significantly higher in the NOA group, compared to the OATS and MMF group (55.1% versus 46.8 and 16.1%,p&lt;0.001) and a higher number of babies born with a birth weight &lt;2.5kg came from the NOA group, compared to the OATS and MMF group (34% versus 19.8% and 12.2%, p &lt; 0.001).

Limitations, reasons for caution

The present study is limited by its retrospective design and the fact that the confounding factors of advanced maternal age, endometrial ageing and uterine factors cannot be fully evaluated. However, the study was controlled for female and male partner's age. Neonatal outcomes were not available.

Wider implications of the findings

Non-obstructive azoospermia can impair early embryonic potential and reduce live birth rates. Our study also shows an association between NOA and preterm birth. Future research should focus on prospective collection of data and long-term follow up of babies born by fathers with non-obstructive azoospermia.

Trial registration number

Not applicable