P-510 The impact of the severe male factor in the egg donation cycles using preimplantation genetic test for aneuploidy
Authors: Cozzolino M , Pellegrini L , Fasulo D  D , Pellicer A , Galliano D 
Published: July 2024

Study question

Does severe male factor affect the euploidy rate and IVF outcomes in donor egg ICSI cycles using PGT-A?

Summary answer

Severe male factor affects the euploidy rate in egg donation cycles, however, no statistical differences were reported in live birth and cumulative live birth rate.

What is known already

Around 50% of couples seeking fertility treatment have male-factor infertility. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) relies on evaluating sperm morphology, but the direct relationship between semen quality and embryonic potential remains unclear. Evidence indicates that poor semen characteristics correlate with an increase in aneuploidy rate of spermatozoa. Therefore, pregenetic testing for aneuploidies (PGT-A) is recommended in cases of male factor infertility. The relationship between aneuploidy rates and abnormal sperm remains a debated topic. The use of the egg donation model offers a valuable chance to isolate the male-related factor and evaluate its influence on the occurrence of embryonic aneuploidies.

Study design, size, duration

This is a retrospective, observational, cohort study including all European IVI clinics. The study included egg donation cycles using pre-implantation genetic testing for aneuploidies (PGT-A) generated in IVI clinics from January 2017 until December 2023. 690 egg donation cycles were included in the study, N = 202 in the group with sperm &lt; 5mil/ml, N = 102 in the sperm group with 5-15 mil/ml and N = 386 in the group with sperm &gt;15 mil/ml.

Participants/materials, setting, methods

The study included women between 30-49 years undergoing egg-donor cycles, using fresh/frozen sperm Sperm samples were derived after 2-5 days of abstinence. The cycles of egg donation were divided into three groups according to sperm concentration, severe oligozoospermia (SO, &lt; 5mil/ml), moderate oligozoospermia (MO, between 5-15 mil/ml), and control group(&gt;15 mil/ml). Trophectoderm biopsy was performed on day 5 or 6 and subsequent analysis used the next sequencing generation (NGS). Single euploid blastocyst transfers were included.

Main results and the role of chance

The fertilization rate was decreased in SO (73.33 ± 16.19) than in the MO group (79.07 ±12.45) and control group (77.80 ±14.72) p = 0.0047. The number of blastocysts was higher in the control (5.80 ± 2.72) and MO (5.97± 2.78) than in the SO group (4.99 ± 2.40), p = &lt;0.001. The number of euploid blastocysts was decreased in SO (3.21 ± 2.07) than in the control (4.09 ± 2.41) and MO group (4.05 ± 2.15), p = &lt;0.001. The euploidy rate of SO decreased (63.32 ±26.39) compared to the control (69.67 ± 25.08) and MO group (68.55 ± 20.37), p = 0.012. The logistic regression model included possible confounders (male age, age donor, male BMI, sperm motility, sperm morphology and sperm concentration) that showed no effect on the euploidy rate. The pregnancy rate was similar across the groups 69.77% vs 66.05% vs 66.23%, p = 0.54. No statistical differences were reported for the clinical pregnancy rate 62.79% vs 61.73% vs 58.40%, p = 0.44, and the live birth rate 62.79% vs 61.73% vs 58.40%, p = 0.44. 48.05 vs 46.38% vs 42.64%, p = 0.37. No differences were reported in the miscarriage rate (p = 0.37) and CLBR (p = 0.26).

Limitations, reasons for caution

The retrospective nature of the study and the sample size represent the principal limitations of the study. The clinical reason for severe male factors was not considered in the study.

Wider implications of the findings

SO affects the quality affect the early embryonic potential through an increase in aneuploidy, despite no clinical effects.The use of PGT-A in case of severe male factor remains not justified in the egg donation.Future prospective multi-center studies are needed to highlight the effect of sperm quality on early embryonic potential.

Trial registration number

not applicable