P-046 Ejaculatory abstinence: is there any association with embryo developmental competence? A Retrospective Study in time-lapse incubators
Authors: Cermisoni G  C , Innocenti F , Taggi M , Alfano S , Vallefuoco R , Alviggi E , Papini L , Barnocchi N , Mazzilli R , Garrido N , Trabucco E , Vaiarelli A , Ubaldi F  M , Rienzi L , Cimadomo D 
Published: July 2024

Study question

Is ejaculatory abstinence (EA) associated with fertilization and blastocyst development in ICSI cycles with embryo culture in time-lapse incubators?

Summary answer

There is no association between length of EA and fertilization, blastocyst development or morphology.

What is known already

Semen analysis is pivotal in medically assisted reproduction (MAR), serving as a significant indicator of male partners’ health. The period of EA is a relevant factor that can affect sperm quality. Numerous studies described EA association with clinical outcomes, while its impact on embryological results remains inconclusive. Recent meta-analyses, despite a conflicting literature, highlighted positive effects of shorter abstinence periods. A recent study suggested that prolonged abstinence might reduce fertilization rate in ICSI cycles without time-lapse imaging, thereby reducing usable zygotes’ rate

Study design, size, duration

Retrospective study including all oocytes (N = 7164) from 1148 ICSI cycles (N = 902 couples) cultured in time-lapse incubators at a single IVF center between January 2020 and December 2022. Only non-donor fresh gametes were included (Mean Maternal age: 38.5±4 years; Paternal Age: 41±5.6 years). The primary embryological outcomes were fertilization rate and type, and blastocyst development per inseminated oocyte and per 2PN-zygote. Secondary outcomes were euploidy, day of blastocyst development and Gardner’s morphology.

Participants/materials, setting, methods

Semen analysis was conducted according to WHO. All oocytes were cultured up to day7 in EmbryoScope or GERI incubators with continuous media and refresh in day5 (if needed). If requested, PGT-A was performed to assess full-chromosome uniform aneuploidies. Univariate and multivariate logistic regressions were conducted. Possible confounders were assessed among ovarian stimulation, maternal, paternal, sperm, and IVF cycles characteristics. Associations were confirmed with Generalized estimating equations (GEE) to account for repeated measurements among oocytes’ cohort.

Main results and the role of chance

Logistic regressions and GEE were conducted to assess associations between possible confounders and blastocyst development per inseminated metaphase-II oocyte. Maternal age, sperm concentration, and motility A+B were associated. The same confounders were reported on blastocyst development among 2PN-zygotes. The days of EA (1-8 days) did not show any association with fertilization (p = 0.198) or blastocyst development per metaphase-II oocyte (p = 0.495). No association was reported with abnormal fertilization, neither combining all abnormalities in a single group, nor clustering them as 1PN, 3PN, 3.1PN, and multi-PN. An increasing trend was reported in blastocyst development among 2PN-zygotes according to the length of EA (1-day: 17/37,45.9%; 2-days: 190/424,44.8%; 3-days: 1405/2574,54.6%; 4-day: 746/1410,52.9%; 5-days: 450/827,54.4%; 6-days: 70/133,52.6%; 7-days: 46/101,45.5%; 8-days: 85/162,52.5%), but this was not significant in a multivariate logistic regression (p = 0.887). Length of EA showed no association with euploidy (p = 0.424), nor with day of development (p = 0.966) and Gardner’s inner cell mass (p = 0.204) or trophectoderm (p = 0.428) morphology.

Limitations, reasons for caution

This study is inherently limited by its retrospective design. The limited number of cycles included was balanced using time-lapse incubators to improve the accuracy of fertilization check and benefit from an undisturbed embryo culture environment. Artificial Intelligence will be implemented to automate developmental timings’ annotation and objectify embryo quality assessment.

Wider implications of the findings

The length of EA seems not associated with embryological outcomes, adding to the controversy on this topic. Here, we included only ICSI cycles with blastocyst culture conducted in time-lapse to enhance the quality of the evidence. Larger datasets and diverse settings are now required, especially enriched with poor prognosis patients.

Trial registration number

not applicable