Assisted reproductive technology in Latin America: the Latin American Registry, 2022.

Statement of Retraction: Is intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) associated with higher incidence of congenital anomalies? A single center prospective controlled study in Egypt.

In patients with severe OAT, sperm selection for Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) poses a significant challenge due to extremely low sperm count, poor motility, and high levels of morphological abnormalities.

Optical tweezers technology has the characteristics of non-contact manipulation in three-dimensions and steerable separation in solutions, and could be applied to obtain a separated sperm with high quality for intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). However, the effects of optical tweezers on sperm motility are still unclear. To elucidate the effects on sperm motility for optical tweezers, we systematically investigated the correlation between motility parameters and the parameters of optical tweezers (wavelength, power, trapping duration, and trapping orientation). Under three systems of optical tweezers with different laser wavelengths (1064 nm, 850 nm, and 785 nm), the nine motility parameters of free swimming mainly affected by trapping orientation (vertical/horizontal) and trapping duration. When 850-nm laser and 1064-nm laser are used, vertical trapping significantly reduces sperm free-swimming capability with prolonged exposure time, whereas horizontal trapping exhibits relatively minor interference on sperm motility. Notably, the 785-nm laser does not induce statistically significant changes in key parameters of sperm motility under any experimental conditions (trapping orientation and duration). For the rolling frequency of trapped sperm, horizontal trapping for three wavelengths has neglectful effect compared with vertical trapping, especially for 785-nm laser. In conclusion, horizontal trapping can preserve sperm motility under low power (below 140 mW@1064 nm, below 100 mW @850 nm, below 60mW @ 785 nm) and short duration (below 4 minutes). This trapping duration is sufficient for separation procedure of single live sperm in ICSI. This study provides critical parameter optimization guidelines for the safe application of optical tweezers technology in reproductive medicine.

Objective: To characterize oocyte maturation status and investigate clinical factors influencing oocyte maturity in controlled ovarian stimulation cycles for in vitro fertilization (IVF). Materials and Methods: This retrospective descriptive study analyzed 139 IVF cycles utilizing a GnRH antagonist protocol at the Center of IVF and Tissue Engineering, Hanoi Medical University Hospital, between January 2023 and June 2024. Data regarding oocyte developmental stage, ovarian stimulation parameters, and fertilization outcomes were systematically collected and evaluated. Results: Mature oocytes at the metaphase II (MII) stage constituted 65.81 ± 17.92% of the total oocytes retrieved, whereas immature oocytes at the metaphase I (MI) and germinal vesicle (GV) stages accounted for 9.2 ± 11.18% and 6.88 ± 10.55%, respectively. The intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) rate was 69.36 ± 17.64%, with a corresponding fertilization rate of 88.29 ± 18.03%. Prolonged duration of infertility and lower initial doses of recombinant FSH were significantly associated with an increased proportion of immature oocytes (p = 0,001 and p = 0,022, respectively). In contrast, a longer duration of ovarian stimulation was positively correlated with higher oocyte maturation rates (p = 0,031). No statistically significant associations were observed between oocyte maturity and patient age, anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels, body mass index (BMI), or serum concentrations of LH, estradiol, and progesterone at the time of trigger. Conclusion: The degree of oocyte maturation in IVF cycles appears to be influenced by modifiable clinical variables, particularly the duration of infertility, the initial FSH dosage, and the length of ovarian stimulation. Further large-scale studies are needed to elucidate the role of these factors in optimizing oocyte quality and enhancing clinical outcomes.

Abstract Abstract: Introduction Despite advances in Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART), obtaining developmentally competent embryos remains a major challenge. We previously demonstrated that modulating sperm metabolism through Sperm Energy Restriction and Recovery (SER) enhances sperm function and improves fertilization and embryo development rates following in vitro fertilization in mice. Objective To optimize SER in bovine and equine species. Methods Cryopreserved sperm were incubated in either complete medium (control) or nutrient-deficient medium (ST), followed by recovery with metabolic substrates (SER). Sperm function was assessed by evaluating motility and capacitation-associated markers, including phosphorylation of PKA substrates (pPKAs), tyrosine phosphorylation (pY), and intracellular Ca2+ levels. Control and SER bovine sperm were then used for intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Results SER improved sperm motility in both species, while no differences were observed in pPKAs or pY levels in either species. ST equine sperm showed higher intracellular Ca2+ levels and a greater percentage of live, acrosome-reacted cells compared to controls (14.4% vs. 6.6%, p < 0.05). In bovines, ICSI using SER sperm yielded higher 2-cell embryo rates than controls (50% vs. 16%, p < 0.05), and 17% of these embryos developed to the blastocyst stage, whereas none did in the control. SER also enhanced egg activation post-ICSI, with more oocytes displaying greater than 3 Ca2+ peaks (40% vs. 10%, p < 0.05). Conclusion SER improves sperm function in both bovine and equine species and enhances egg activation after bovine ICSI. These findings suggest that targeting sperm metabolism may increase the efficiency of in vitro embryo production across species. (Supported by USDA 2022-67016-41939)

Objectives In the investigations of infertile couples, the contribution of male partners has recently caught the attention of researchers, and more and more investigations like DNA fragmentation tests, microfluidics, physiological intracytoplasmic sperm injection, and intracytoplasmic morphological sperm injection are being resorted to for better Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) results. Male fertility is intrinsically linked to overall health, with a growing body of evidence indicating that medical comorbidities and conditions detrimental to men’s health are consistently associated with compromised reproductive function. Considering the fact that 15% of the male human genome is dedicated to reproductive functions, it is plausible that other health disorders may also be associated with impairments in fertility. This study was planned to look into factors which are causing such a rise in male infertility and its association with various semen parameters. Material and Methods A cross-sectional study was undertaken over an 18-month period at the infertility clinic of a tertiary care centre, enrolling 151 infertile males exhibiting abnormal semen parameters in accordance with the WHO 2010 guidelines. A comprehensive evaluation of their biochemical and endocrinological profiles was performed, and the correlation between these parameters and semen abnormalities was systematically examined. Results A significant negative correlation was observed between various semen parameters and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), prolactin, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and oestrogen. DBP (mmHg) correlated negatively with sperm concentration (million/ml) (R = −0.161). CRP (mg/l) correlated with sperm concentration and total sperm count (×10 6 /ejaculate) (R = −0.180 and −0.208, respectively). ESR (mm/hour) correlated with sperm concentration and total sperm count (R = −0.214 and −0.198, respectively). FSH (IU/l) correlated with sperm concentration and total sperm count (R = −0.216 and −0.206, respectively). Prolactin (μg/l) correlated with sperm concentration, total sperm count, and total motile sperm count (TMSC) (R = −0.210, −0.264, and −0.191, respectively). Oestrogen (pg/ml) showed the strongest negative correlation with sperm concentration, total sperm count, and TMSC (R = −0.387, −0.357, and −0.171, respectively). Conversely, significant positive correlations were observed between semen parameters and both uric acid and lipid profile. Serum uric acid (mg/dl) correlated positively with sperm morphology (%) (R = 0.203). Low-density lipoprotein (mg/dl) correlated with sperm concentration and total sperm count (R = 0.231 and 0.259, respectively), while triglycerides (mg/dl) correlated with sperm concentration and total sperm count (R = 0.197 and 0.204, respectively). However, triglycerides also showed a significant negative correlation with total motility (%) and progressive motility (%) (R = −0.186 and −0.180, respectively). Conclusion Our findings demonstrated that DBP, prolactin, ESR, CRP, FSH, and oestrogen exhibited significant negative correlations with various semen parameters, whereas uric acid and lipid profile parameters showed significant positive correlations. These results suggest that systemic health factors exert a considerable influence on male reproductive potential, highlighting the importance of evaluating overall health status in the assessment and management of male infertility.

Accurate and real-time sperm tracking is essential for automation in Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) and fertility diagnostics, where maintaining correct identities across frames improves the reliability of sperm selection. However, identity fragmentation, overcounting, and tracking instability remain persistent challenges in crowded and low-contrast microscopy conditions. This study presents a robust two-layer tracking framework that integrates BoT-SORT with an Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) to enhance identity continuity. The EKF models sperm trajectories using a nonlinear state that includes position, velocity, and heading, allowing it to predict motion across occlusions and correct fragmented or duplicate IDs. We evaluated the framework on microscopy videos from the VISEM dataset using standard multi-object tracking (MOT) metrics and trajectory statistics. Compared to BoT-SORT, the proposed EKF-BoT-SORT achieved notable improvements: IDF1 increased from 80.30% to 84.84%, ID switches reduced from 176 to 132, average track duration extended from 74.4 to 91.3 frames, and ID overcount decreased from 68.75% to 37.5%. These results confirm that the EKF layer significantly improves identity preservation without compromising real-time feasibility. The method may offer a practical foundation for integrating computer vision into ICSI workflows and sperm motility analysis systems.

Azoospermia affects ~ 1% of men and represents a major cause of severe male infertility. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) with surgically retrieved sperm from the testis or epididymis enables biological fatherhood in obstructive (OA) and non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) patients. However, comparative studies versus ejaculated sperm remain fragmented, particularly for neonatal and long-term offspring outcomes. This study aims to address the existing evidence gap regarding the outcomes of ICSI cycles using surgically retrieved versus ejaculated sperm in men with azoospermia by evaluating reproductive, perinatal, long-term offspring, and paternal outcomes. A systematic review and meta-analysis will be conducted following the PRISMA-P and PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Eligible studies will include randomized and non-randomized comparative designs of ICSI using surgically retrieved versus ejaculated sperm as single-arm studies for outcomes not applicable to ejaculated sperm. The primary outcome is live birth per oocyte pick-up or per started cycle. The secondary outcomes include reproductive, perinatal, long-term offspring, and paternal outcomes. Searches will be conducted in PubMed, Embase, Scopus, CENTRAL, Web of Science, and ProQuest, supplemented by trial registries, conference proceedings, and grey literature from 1990 onward. The risk of bias will be assessed with RoB2 and ROBINS-I; certainty of evidence will be assessed with GRADE. Random-effects meta-analyses with restricted maximum likelihood estimation and Hartung-Knapp-Sidik-Jonkman adjustment will be applied, with rare-event models explored as sensitivity analyses. This protocol describes a systematic approach to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ICSI via surgically retrieved sperm compared with ejaculated sperm, with a particular focus on filling current evidence gaps in perinatal, offspring, and paternal outcomes. The results will contribute to evidence-based counseling, clinical practice, and guideline refinement. PROSPERO CRD420251142427.

Objective: To study the effect of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in men on the outcome of in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) treatments, and to explore the factors influencing different outcomes of IVF/ICSI. Methods: This was a nested case-control study, in which clinical data were collected from 3 560 couples who underwent IVF/ICSI treatment in the Department of Reproductive Medicine of the First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University between June 2012 and December 2024, of whom 496 were male HBsAg-positive (including 77 HBeAg-positive and 419 HBeAg-negative). Semen parameters between the groups were analyzed for their association with the differences in treatment outcomes. Factors affecting reproductive outcomes of IVF/ICSI were assessed using the multifactorial logistic regression analysis. Results: HBsAg-positivity in males did not significantly affect reproductive outcomes such as IVF/ICSI implantation rates and pregnancy rates. Semen pH was lower in the HBeAg-positive group, and the proportion of non-progressive motile sperm in semen was higher in the HBeAg-positive group. Additionally, liver function indicators (e.g., alanine aminotransferase, azelaic aminotransferase) were significantly higher in the HBsAg-positive group than in the control group. Multifactorial analysis showed that the transplantation outcomes of IVF/ICSI were influenced by factors such as female age and the proportion of non-forward-moving spermatozoa in the semen. The clinical pregnancy outcomes of IVF were influenced by semen density and the total number of eggs obtained, and those of ICSI were influenced by the female age and the time of semen liquefaction. Conclusions: In this study, we did not find any significant effect of HBV infection in men on the reproductive outcome of IVF/ICSI. However, HBV infection affects semen motility and liver function, and female age, semen motility, semen density, and liquefaction time are the key influences on the different outcomes of IVF/ICSI.

To evaluate how the timing of oocyte denudation (DN) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) affects embryological and clinical outcomes in highly standardized oocyte donation cycles. This retrospective cohort study included 1538 donor stimulation cycles from a single IVF center between January 2019 and July 2023. Timing intervals between human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) administration, oocyte pick-up (OPU), DN, and ICSI were recorded. Outcomes included oocyte maturation (MII rate), fertilization, embryo quality, and clinical results. Statistical analyses included linear and logistic regression models, and chi-square tests, adjusting for donor and recipient age and BMI. Longer hCG-DN intervals (> 39h) were significantly associated with increased MII rates and decreased proportions of MI and discarded oocytes (P < 0.05). However, hCG-DN timing had no effect on fertilization rates, embryo quality, or pregnancy outcomes. Shorter DN-ICSI intervals (< 90min) were associated with a higher proportion of top-quality blastocysts and fewer medium-quality embryos (P < 0.05). DN-ICSI timing did not influence clinical outcomes. Recipient BMI was the strongest predictor of pregnancy, clinical pregnancy, and live birth (P < 0.001). Extended incubation prior to denudation improves oocyte maturation but does not affect fertilization or pregnancy. Short DN-ICSI intervals favor top-quality blastocyst formation without altering clinical results. Recipient BMI significantly impacts reproductive success. These findings support timing optimization in ART and highlight the influence of patient-specific factors.

The sperm of infertile men have higher rates of chromosomal abnormalities than those of fertile men. Miscarriage rate is also higher following testicular sperm extraction combined with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (TESE-ICSI). Sperm chromosomal abnormalities are assumed to be the cause of miscarriages. Previous testicular sperm karyotyping studies have only examined a few selected chromosomes using fluorescence in situ hybridization. The aim of this study was to provide a more detailed analysis of sperm karyotyping by analyzing all chromosomes using next-generation sequencing (NGS) in clinically usable testicular sperm. Sperm discarded after clinical use was collected for NGS. Additionally, sperm were individually collected by micromanipulation from patients with obstructive azoospermia (OA) and non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) who underwent TESE-ICSI. For comparison, ejaculated sperm from control and balanced translocation (BT) carriers were examined. Karyotyping was performed on individual sperm cells using NGS. The number of normal and aberrant sperm was compared. Seventeen patients participated in this study: control (n = 4), BT (n = 3), OA (n = 5), and NOA (n = 5). Ten sperm samples per patient were analyzed. The total acquisition rate for single sperm karyotyping was 85% (145/170). Karyotyping of sperm from the BT group revealed sperm with unbalanced chromosomes derived from carrier translocations. Among the NOA group, 7/41 (17%) sperm samples exhibited aberrant karyotypes, whereas no aberrant sperm were identified in the control and OA groups. Individual differences were observed in the frequency of sperm chromosomal abnormalities among patients with NOA. In conclusion, sperm chromosomal abnormalities are frequently observed in patients with NOA even after sperm selection for clinical use. As the frequency of chromosomal abnormalities varies among patients with NOA, single sperm sequencing may help identify patients with NOA most likely to benefit from PGT-A.

Blastocyst production by conventional in vitro fertilization (cIVF) in horses: Effects of sperm storage method, incubation timing of cool-stored semen before gamete co-incubation, and comparisons between cIVF and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).

Studies on in vitro production of equine embryos by Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) using non-sorted, or sex-sorted, frozen/thawed stallion sperm: Effects on post-thaw sperm quality, cleavage and blastocyst rates, and characterization of cellular events during the first 24 hours post-fertilization via confocal microscopy.

Outcomes of assisted reproductive technology cycles following bushfire exposure: a retrospective cohort study.

Association of bisphenol A exposure with in vitro fertilization outcomes: A meta-analysis and systematic review.

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection-mediated strategy for the production of transgenic poultry as a bioreactor.

BackgroundThe application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to sperm selection during Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) procedures represents one of the most innovative advances in assisted reproductive technology (ART). Traditional sperm selection relies heavily on the subjective assessment of embryologists, which can lead to variability in outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of an AI-based software, Sperm ID (SiD™) v.1.0, for sperm selection during ICSI and to compare its outcomes with those obtained by experienced embryologists. Additionally, the study assessed the potential impact of sperm and oocyte quality, particularly in autologous versus donor oocyte cycles.MethodsA single-center, blind, observational study was conducted involving 102 infertile couples—60 undergoing treatment with autologous oocytes and 42 using oocytes from a donation program. Semen samples were analyzed in real time with SiD™ v.1.0, a software that quantifies progressive motility parameters and assigns each sperm a categorical score (‘Best,’ ‘Good,’ ‘Medium,’ or ‘low’). Spermatozoa and oocytes were individually tracked from injection to embryo development. Oocyte quality was retrospectively analyzed using another AI tool, Magenta IVF R3.0. The performance of the Artificial Intelligence Sperm Selection (AISS) system was compared with that of senior embryologists (> 300 ICSI cycles/year). Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics and inferential tests to compare fertilization and embryo development rates across sperm categories and between autologous and donor cycles.ResultsBiological outcomes—such as fertilization and blastocyst development—were generally similar across all sperm quality categories. However, in cycles with autologous oocytes, the use of top-quality sperm (‘Best’ category) was associated with a significantly higher blastocyst formation rate. In contrast, no significant differences were observed in donor oocyte cycles, regardless of sperm quality. The AISS system demonstrated comparable performance to that of senior embryologists, with similar fertilization and embryo development rates.ConclusionsThe study highlights the promising role of AI-based tools in standardizing and enhancing sperm selection during ICSI. While AI-driven sperm selection showed limited impact in donor cycles, it may offer a distinct advantage in cases involving compromised oocyte quality. Furthermore, AISS may improve laboratory efficiency and support junior embryologists by reducing selection time and increasing procedural consistency.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12958-025-01479-9.

The prevalence of male infertility attributed to oxidative stress (OS) is a growing concern globally. Traditional methods to treat male infertility have some limitations, including low efficacy and invasiveness. Additionally, assisted reproductive procedures, such as in vitro fertilization and intracytoplasmic sperm injection, are expensive and carry higher risks. These challenges underscore the need for innovative solutions. A multidisciplinary approach is imperative, drawing insights from fields such as reproductive biology, nanotechnology, and clinical research to effectively combat male infertility caused by OS. Recent advancements in nanobiotechnology provide a promising opportunity to tackle male infertility caused by OS. These advancements enable the design and development of nanoantioxidants (nanoAOXs) and drug delivery systems tailored to the male reproductive environment. This review highlights the recent progress in the rational design of nanomaterials, with a specific focus on nanoAOXs for managing male infertility associated with OS.

Background: Infertility affects about 17% of people worldwide, with most cases attributed to female, male, or combined factors. While assisted reproductive technologies, particularly in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), are widely used treatment options, adjunct nutraceutical therapies such as Cyclofert-IVA® have emerged to support female reproductive health and improve factors associated with infertility. Case Summary: We report the case of a 26-year-old Libyan woman presenting with a 3-year history of primary infertility and no identifiable female pathology. Her hormonal profile, pelvic imaging, and tubal patency were all within normal limits, indicating unexplained female infertility. However, the male partner was diagnosed with oligo-astheno-teratozoospermia. Given the combined factor infertility diagnosis, the couple underwent in vitro fertilization with intracytoplasmic sperm injection, following a one-month course of Cyclofert-IVA®, a combination of dehydroepiandrosterone, high dose coenzyme Q10, L-methylfolate, vitamins E and D, Ginkgo biloba, and omega-3 for the female partner. Three blastocysts were transferred, resulting in a confirmed intrauterine clinical pregnancy with positive fetal cardiac activity at 7 weeks' gestation. Conclusion: A one-month Cyclofert-IVA® pretreatment before IVF/ICSI may improve fertility outcomes in couples with combined factor infertility. However, larger prospective trials are needed to confirm its efficacy and establish its role in routine infertility clinical practice.