Male Births Research Articles

Fabry Disease - literature review

Introduction and objective: Fabry disease (FD) is a rare lysosomal storage disorder that can manifest in classical and atypical forms, with the latter being more common. It results from deficient alpha-galactosidase activity, leading to the accumulation of globotriaosylceramide (Gb3), causing inflammation, cellular damage, and mitochondrial dysfunction. The aim of this publication is to discuss various aspects of Fabry disease based on the latest literature. Review Methods: The PubMed database was searched for scientific articles where the terms "Fabry disease" or "FD" appear in the title, abstract, or keywords. The focus was on articles published between 2017 and 2024, although in some cases, older sources were consulted when more recent data was lacking.Brief Description of the State of Knowledge: The Fabry disease occurs with a frequency between 1:40,000 and 1:117,000 live male births. Symptoms include proteinuria, kidney failure, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, valve defects, peripheral neuropathy, and gastrointestinal issues. The disease affects life expectancy, primarily due to cardiovascular complications. Early diagnosis is often delayed due to non-specific symptoms, and prognosis tends to be worse in males. Current treatments include enzyme replacement therapy (ERT), chaperone therapy with migalastat, and second-generation ERT.Summary: Given the rarity of Fabry disease, research is limited, and there is a need for more studies to explore novel therapeutic options that could improve patient quality of life and mitigate the disease's complications.

Performance Of Etawa Crossbreed (PE) in The Colony

The research was carried out in Selopanggung Village, Semen District, Kediri Regency by taking the research site at the PE goat farm owned by Refangga and Samsuri. The livestock observed were male Peranakan Etawah (PE) goats. This study used a survey method, t test and the parameters used were birth weight, body weight, weaning weight and qualitative traits of male etawah breed. And the conclusion of this study is that at Refangga farms the average birth weight of males was 8.33 ± 2.25, and the average body weight was 14.44 ± 1.83, the average weaning weight was 11.37 ± 2.19. Meanwhile in Samsuri, the average male birth weight was 4.82 ± 0.33, the average body weight was 7.12 ± 1.76. Weaning weight 10.07 ± 1.47.

Heart Disease in Mothers of Children with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

Female carriers of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) carry a heterozygous pathogenic variant in the dystrophin gene and can transmit pathogenic variants to their offspring. DMD is an X-linked recessive disease that affects up to 19.8 in every 100,000 male births. Those carriers with symptoms can be referred to as women with dystrophinopathy. Even among asymptomatic carriers, cardiac involvement can be verified in between 2.5% and 75% through echocardiography. The most commonly affected wall of the left ventricle is the inferolateral, with myocardial fibrosis detected by cardiac nuclear resonance. Therefore, screening is recommended for these women carriers due to the risk of cardiomyopathy. There is a lack of longitudinal studies on the evolution of these carriers. In this article, data on clinical presentation, cardiac assessment for female patients with dystrophinopathy and DMD carriers, and approaches for these patients are discussed.

Factors associated with waitlist clinical deterioration among United States lung transplant recipients under the continuous distribution system

BackgroundLung continuous distribution (CD), implemented on March 9, 2023, changed the calculation and relative importance of medical urgency and posttransplant survival in prioritizing candidates for transplant. We aimed to identify factors associated with waitlist clinical deterioration and change in expected posttransplant survival from listing to transplant in the current system. MethodsWe used Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) data to conduct a retrospective study of 2,395 adult, lung-only transplant recipients added to the waiting list and transplanted between March 09, 2023, and March 08, 2024. We used multivariable linear regression to identify factors associated with change in waitlist area under the curve (WLAUC) and posttransplant area under the curve (PTAUC), representing expected survival (in days) without and with transplant, respectively. ResultsIn multivariable analysis, longer waiting time (β=-1.3 per 7 days; p<0.001), male birth sex (β=-11; p=0.006), diagnosis group D (β=-27; p<0.001), and blood type O (β=-13; p<0.001) were associated with greater clinical deterioration from listing to transplant. Older (β=3.2 per 10-year increase in age; p=0.023) and taller (β=3.0 per 5 cm increase in height; p=0.003) recipients were less likely to clinically deteriorate from listing to transplant. Diagnosis group D (β=-4.7, p=0.032) and blood type O (β=-4.2, p=0.025) recipients had lower expected posttransplant survival at transplant compared to listing. ConclusionOur findings suggest the need to further investigate and address factors associated with waitlist clinical deterioration under CD. Future analysis of the effect of waitlist clinical deterioration on posttransplant outcomes under CD is needed.

Effect of Indoor Residual Spraying on Malaria in Pregnancy and Pregnancy Outcomes: A Systematic Review.

Malaria in pregnancy increases maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Indoor residual spraying (IRS) is a core vector control strategy used to reduce transmission in endemic areas; however, its efficacy in reducing the sequelae of malaria in pregnancy is not well described. PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, and Web of Science were searched for all studies assessing IRS exposure during pregnancy. Abstracts and full texts were reviewed independently by two researchers, with discrepancies adjudicated by a third. Of 3,319 studies that met the search criteria, 17 met the inclusion criteria. Thirteen studies reported on the effect of IRS on malaria endpoints during pregnancy, five on birth outcomes, and one on a fetal anomaly. Twelve of the 13 studies exploring maternal malaria and 3 of 3 studies reporting on placental malaria demonstrated a reduction among those exposed to IRS during pregnancy. Results were more mixed for obstetric outcomes. Two of the best-quality studies showed reductions in preterm birth, low birthweight, and fetal/neonatal mortality; a third high-quality study did not demonstrate a reduction in perinatal mortality but did not evaluate preterm birth. One study found a significantly increased risk of preterm birth in those exposed to IRS, although the study was of lower quality. A final study demonstrated a small, although statistically significant, association between IRS and male urogenital birth defects. In malaria-endemic areas, the published literature suggests that IRS during pregnancy reduces the incidence of malaria parasitemia. However, without high-quality prospective studies directly examining IRS in pregnancy, the impact on birth outcomes is less clear.

Abortions and extra male births

Abortions and extra male births

The Role of CRISPR/Cas9 in Revolutionizing Duchenne's Muscular Dystrophy Treatment: Opportunities and Obstacles

AbstractDuchenne's muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a severe X-linked disorder characterized by progressive muscle degeneration, leading to loss of ambulation, respiratory failure, and premature death. It affects approximately 1 in 3,500 live male births and is caused by mutations in the dystrophin gene, which impairs muscle fiber stability. Current treatments are limited to managing symptoms and slowing disease progression, with no curative therapies available. The advent of CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing technology has introduced a promising approach for directly correcting the genetic mutations responsible for DMD. This review explores the potential of CRISPR/Cas9 as a transformative therapy for DMD, highlighting its successes in preclinical models, the challenges associated with its delivery, and the obstacles to its clinical application. While preclinical studies demonstrate the efficacy of CRISPR/Cas9 in restoring dystrophin expression and improving muscle function, significant hurdles remain, including optimizing delivery methods and ensuring long-term safety.

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Sex Ratio at Birth in Ireland.

The sex ratio at birth (SRB), calculated as male divided by total live births, is an important indicator of population health. Typically, male live births slightly outnumber female live births. Population events, including pandemics, can alter the SRB, with effects sometimes evident 9 months post-event, potentially due to changes in sexual behavior and/or stress levels. This study investigates the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the SRB in the Republic of Ireland. Publicly available monthly live birth data for Ireland were obtained from the Central Statistics Office for the period 2015 to 2021. Time series analysis predicted the SRB for 2020 using data from 2015 to 2019, with comparisons made between observed and predicted values. In December 2020, 9 months after the March 2020 COVID-19 declaration, the observed SRB sharply fell to 49.44% (97.80 males for every 100 females), below the 95% prediction interval of 50.31% to 52.15%, significantly deviating from the expected male predominance. December 2020 also recorded the lowest average daily number of births (n = 145) in the study period. The sharp decline in the SRB in December 2020, alongside the lowest birth count, suggests reduced sexual intercourse at the population level, particularly in March 2020, aligning with recommendations from Ireland's Health Service Executive (HSE). The HSE advocated precautionary measures such as limiting partnered sex in March 2020 to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. These findings highlight the pandemic's potential impact on population dynamics and stress the importance of SRB monitoring as a low-cost and readily available health indicator, especially during national crises.

Emicizumab revolution in treating Hemophilia

HemophiliaA (H.A.) has beenanuncommon hereditary X-linked bleeding disorder indicated by clotting factorVIII (FVIII)deficiency, leading to impaired hemostasis. H.A. affects approximately one in 5,000male births in the U.S., often resulting in spontaneous joint bleeding, chronic pain, and an increased risk of cerebral hemorrhage. Prophylactic treatment with FVIII replacement or the bispecific antibody emicizumab has become a crucial strategy to prevent bleeding episodes and long-term tissue damage. Emicizumab, approved by the FDA &amp; EMA in2018, mimics FVIII activity by binding to activated factorIX (FIXa) &amp; factorX (F.X.), facilitating blood clotting regardless of FVIII inhibitors. The development of emicizumab involved extensive bioengineering to optimize its safety, stability, and efficacy, leading to its successful application in clinical trials. These trials demonstrated that emicizumab significantly decreases the annualized bleeding rate in studied cases with or without inhibitors, including severe H.A. cases, with a favorable safety profile and minimal adverse events. Emicizumab's subcutaneous administration, high bioavailability, and predictable pharmacokinetics make it a practical option for H.A. prophylaxis. Despite its benefits, emicizumab can interfere with specific coagulation assays and may develop anti-drug antibodies (ADAs) in rare cases, potentially reducing its efficacy. Ongoing research and post-marketing surveillance continue to assess its long-term safety and effectiveness, making emicizumab a transformative treatment in managing hemophilia A.

Maternal Folic Acid and Dietary Folate Intake in Relation to Sex Ratio at Birth and Sex-Specific Birth Weight in China.

It is well-established that prenatal folic acid supplements can reduce neural tube defects. However, the associations between folic acid supplementation, dietary folate intake, and overall folate intake with sex-specific birth outcomes are not yet fully understood. This study aims to investigate the association of periconceptional folic acid supplement, dietary folate, and total folate intake with the sex ratio at birth and sex-specific birth weight. Data were sourced from a cross-sectional survey conducted between August and December 2013 in Northwest China, involving 7318 infants and their mothers, recruited using a stratified multistage random sampling method. Folic acid supplements (400 μg/d) were ascertained via a retrospective in-person interview. Dietary folate was evaluated using a validated food frequency questionnaire. Birth outcomes, including sex and weight at birth, were obtained from the Medical Certificate of Birth. Generalized linear models were employed to calculate relative risks (RRs) or differences with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). No association or dose-response relationship was observed between folic acid supplement, dietary folate, and total folate intake during periconception and the likelihood of male births. However, women who took folic acid supplements during pre- and post-conception were associated with an increased male birth weight by 52.8 (8.1 to 97.5) g. Additionally, the total folate intake during periconception was associated with birth weight for males (upper vs. lower tertile: β = 38.8, 95%CI: 5.0 to 72.5 g, p-trend = 0.024) and females (upper vs. lower tertile: β = 42.4, 95%CI: 6.7 to 78.1; p-trend = 0.022). Our findings indicate that periconceptional total folate intake does not correlate with sex ratio at birth but was positively linked to infant birth weights, regardless of gender. These findings offer novel insights into potential benefits of total folate intake, beyond the prevention of neural tube defects, for policymakers and public health.

Understanding health-related quality of life after hypospadias repair: A qualitative study with pre-adolescent males and parents

Hypospadias is a common disease that affects approximately 1 in every 200 live male births in the United States, and long-term studies of individuals who have undergone repair demonstrate complication rates of 15%-70%. The Hypospadias-Specific Health-related Quality of Life (HRQOL) Conceptual Framework for youth and adults suggests that additional morbidity may be incurred from poor psychological, social, and sexual health. The current study sought to clarify hypospadias-specific HRQOL and care priorities in a pre-pubertal population. This IRB-approved, semi-structured interview study used rigorous qualitative research methods. Eligible patients were English-speaking 8-12-year-old males with hypospadias and their parents. Families completed a demographic questionnaire and separate youth and parent 30-min telephone interviews. We used hybrid thematic analysis to develop an operational codebook, analyze participant responses, and generate conceptual themes. Mixed methods analysis was used to explore patterns of experiences across groups defined by socioeconomic level. We interviewed 10 parents and 8 children (Median age 9 years, Range 8-11). We generated three overarching themes: Penile Factors, Psychosocial Concerns, and Expectations of Surgery and the Healthcare Team. These highest-order themes were generated for youth, parent-proxy, and parent self-reported experiences, and there were different sub-themes for each participant type (Figure). Youth were focused on avoidance of disclosure and the psychological impact of self-comparisons and embarrassment, while the parental perspective centered on worries about future fertility, complications, psychological health, and normality. Some youth and parents from disadvantaged neighborhoods or those with public insurance indicated a need for more education on normal penile functions and provision of strategies for long-term self-monitoring and facilitation of long-term follow-up on mixed methods analysis. These findings add insight into the multifaceted experiences of pre-pubertal youth and families dealing with hypospadias, and underscore the consistent, wide-ranging interplay between medical, psychological, and social concerns. Patterns in themes across socioeconomic status and insurance coverage suggest that access to information and quality care may vary significantly and could contribute to health disparities. Urologists should employ an individualized approach to counseling and care delivery. Future studies will seek to characterize care priorities in pubertal and post-pubertal age groups to design developmentally adjusted support tools for youth and adults with hypospadias and their families.

The male birth control pill - A new approach to family planning and population control.

With the increase in the world's population, contraception is crucial in population control strategies. Majority of contraceptives produced today are targeted at women; many of whom experience side effects, leading to the discontinuation of these contraceptives after a year of use. As the use of condoms and vasectomies has been subjected to scrutiny, it is necessary for the development of male birth control (BC). Attempts to achieve this include hormonal and non-hormonal contraception. Hormonal contraception prevents the production of the sperm in the testes; but this mode of BC has been found to be ineffective while also causing behavioural changes in men. In contrast, non-hormonal male contraception focuses on rendering the sperm immotile to prevent fertilization post-copulation. Soluble adenylate cyclase is an area of research that has shown promise in this field. Furthermore, two inhibitors, TDI-10299 and TDI-11861, have been developed and tested, with the latter, showing greater potency and longer activity, in mice models. Overall, by developing non-hormonal male contraceptives, men will have more control over their reproductive health. Nonetheless, before such contraceptives can be made widely available, it is important that further research takes place to ensure the safety and effectiveness of these methods.

High mobility group box1 (HMGB1) is a potential disease biomarker in cell and mouse models of Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a progressive muscle wasting disorder affecting 1:3500 male births and is associated with myofiber degeneration, regeneration, and inflammation. Glucocorticoid treatments have been the standard of care due to immunomodulatory/immunosuppressive properties but novel genetic approaches, including exon skipping and gene replacement therapy, are currently being developed. The identification of additional biomarkers to assess DMD-related inflammatory responses and the potential efficacy of these therapeutic approaches are thus of critical importance. The current study uses RNA sequencing of skeletal muscle from two mdx mouse models to identify high mobility group box1 (HMGB1) as a candidate biomarker potentially contributing to DMD-related inflammation. HMGB1 protein content was increased in a human iPSC-derived skeletal myocyte model of DMD and microdystrophin treatment decreased HMGB1 back to control levels. In vivo, HMGB1 protein levels were increased in vehicle treated B10-mdx skeletal muscle compared to B10-WT and significantly decreased in B10-mdx animals treated with adeno-associated virus (AAV)-microdystrophin. However, HMGB1 protein levels were not increased in D2-mdx skeletal muscle compared to D2-WT, demonstrating a strain-specific difference in DMD-related immunopathology.

Review Based Study on Declining Child Sex Ratio in India – A Matter of Great Concern.

Sex ratio at birth is defined as the number of female births per 1000 male birth. Declining Child Sex Ratio causes imbalances in child population and expected to have serious socio-demographic consequences, further reinforcing the subordination of girls and women. The issue, therefore, requires a multi-faceted response to enhance the value of girls by change in negative perceptions on girl child as well as legal measures to curb misuse of medical technology.

Effects of prenatal stress on reproductive function of male offspring through the KISS1 system.

Prenatal stress can lead to the programming of the neuroendocrine system in male offspring, disrupting the hypothalamic testicular axis and adversely affecting the reproductive health of male offspring. This study aimed to determine the long-term effects of prenatal stress on the KISS1 system in male offspring and the effects on reproductive function in male offspring. Sixteen pregnant females were divided into a prenatal control group (PC, n = 8) and a prenatal stress group (PS, n = 8). The PS group was modeled with chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) from day 1 of gestation to full-term delivery. Differences between the two groups in various maternal parameters, including glucocorticoid secretion, litter size, and the effects of male offspring birth weight, the KISS1 system, and reproductive function, were determined. Male offspring of PS dams had lower birth weights compared to prenatal controls.KISS1 gene expression is reduced at birth and in adult PS offspring, and its receptor KISS1-R protein is similarly reduced in PS offspring at birth and adulthood. In adulthood, PS male offspring show significantly reduced sex hormone production, altered testicular morphology, reduced maturation of their supporting cells, and decreased expression of connexin 43 (CX43), leading to an altered sperm microenvironment and reduced sperm quality. In conclusion, prenatal stress leads to adverse changes in the KISS1 system in male offspring and decreased reproductive function.

Prenatal mercury exposure and the secondary sex ratio: The Japan Environment and Children's Study

Prior research into the association between prenatal mercury (Hg) exposure and the secondary sex ratio has yielded inconclusive and conflicting results. Notably, no study has used cord blood Hg measurement in this context. Also, the differences in Hg species and the potential modifying role of selenium (Se) on this association remain unexplored. Using data from the Japan Environment and Children's Study, we analyzed mother–child pairs with available data for concentrations of total mercury (THg) and Se in maternal blood during late pregnancy, and THg, inorganic mercury (IHg), methylmercury (MeHg), and Se in cord blood. Logistic regression models were employed to examine the association between Hg and Se biomarkers and the secondary sex ratio. Out of the total sample of 3698 children, 1877 (50.8 %) were male, corresponding to an overall secondary sex ratio of 1.03. After adjusting for maternal age and parity, no significant associations were observed between THg concentrations of maternal blood and the secondary sex ratio. Nevertheless, we identified that two-fold increases in THg, IHg, and MeHg concentrations in cord blood were positively associated with increased odds of having a male child, yielding adjusted odds ratios of 1.13 (95 %CI: 1.04, 1.22), 1.12 (1.03, 1.21), and 1.12 (1.03, 1.22), respectively. When stratified by the median Se concentrations, no apparent differences were detected in the associations between Hg concentrations and the secondary sex ratio. In summary, elevated Hg concentrations in cord blood, but not maternal blood, were associated with an increased probability of male births.

Novel mutation leading to splice donor loss in a conserved site of DMD gene causes Duchenne muscular dystrophy with cryptorchidism

BackgroundAs one of the most common congenital abnormalities in male births, cryptorchidism has been found to have a polygenic aetiology according to previous studies of common variants. However, little is...

Sex ratio at birth across 100 years in Sweden and risk of cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality – a national register study

The human sex ratio at birth (SRB) undergoes temporary changes around a mean proportion of 0.51 male births. SRB has been well studied for historical, geographical, and secular trends, but until now not linked to health outcomes in the total population, e.g. for cardiovascular disease (CVD) or mortality during follow-up of birth cohorts. We used linkage analysis based on national registers in Sweden that cover all births from 1900 to 2016. SRB at birth was calculated by every 10-year birth cohort in all survivors living in 1997 for a follow-up analysis of risk of CVD and mortality with data from national registers. When the highest quartile of SRB was used as reference, a slightly increased risk of fatal CVD (HR 1.03 (95% confidence intervals, CI): 1.02–1.04), non-fatal CVD (HR 1.01; 95%CI: 1.01–1.02) and mortality (HR 1.02; 95%CI, 1.01–1.03) was found after full adjustments in men belonging to the lowest SRB quartile. A similar pattern was also found for fatal CHD in women. in the lowest SBR quartile compared to the highest, HR 1.03 (95%CI: 1.02–1.05). In conclusion, in birth cohorts with a relatively lower than expected number of males born, long-term adverse health effects were observed with slightly increased cardiovascular risk and total mortality at the population level. This could indicate that men belonging to so-called “culled cohorts” in a developed country during the 20th century are characterized by a slightly increased risk that could reflect negative early life influences and environmental exposures in pregnant women resulting in selective loss of male embryos or fetuses. In a public health perspective SRB could be of some importance to monitor as an aspect of birth statistics linked to relatively minor population health effects.

A multicenter analysis of individuals with a 47,XXY/46,XX karyotype

PurposeKlinefelter syndrome, a sex chromosome aneuploidy (SCA), is associated with a 47,XXY chromosomal complement and is diagnosed in ∼1:600 live male births. Individuals with a 46,XX cell line, in addition to 47,XXY, are less common with a limited number of published case reports. MethodologyTo better understand the implications of a 47,XXY/46,XX karyotype, we conducted a retrospective, multicenter analysis of the cytogenetic findings and associated clinical records of 34 patients diagnosed with this SCA across 14 institutions. ResultsPresence of the XX cell line ranged from 5% to 98% in patient specimens. Phenotypes also exhibited significant heterogeneity with some reporting a single reason for referral and others presenting with a constellation of symptoms, including ambiguous genitalia and ovotestes. Ovotestes were present in 12% of individuals in this cohort, who had a significantly higher percentage of XX cells. Notably, 2 patients were assigned female sex at birth. ConclusionThese findings highlight the variability of the clinical phenotypes associated with this SCA, as well as the challenges of clinical management for this population. Karyotype or fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis, which offer single-cell resolution, rather than chromosomal microarray or molecular testing, is the ideal test strategy in these instances as mosaicism can occur at low levels.

P-033 Microfluific sperm sorting does not impact the primary sex ratio in IVF-ICSI treatments

Abstract Study question Does sperm selection through microfluidics alter the primary sex ratio (PSR) when compared to density gradients? Summary answer The PSR is not modified when employing a microfluidic sperm sorting when comparing to the conventional density gradient technique for sperm selection. What is known already The PSR refers to gender after fertilization, this is often expressed as the male births per female births. Little is known about the sex ratio in natural and assisted reproduction treatments (ART) since it is difficult to establish in ART as it requires preimplantation genetic testing (PGT). Previous studies have been estimating the variation in the PSR based on the fertilization technique used or the day of embryo transfer. Even the influence of sperm selection techniques has not received much attention, using traditional sperm selection methods such as density gradients or swim-up, a PSR of 1.07 has been estimated. Study design, size, duration This is a retrospective study that includes 1764 blastocysts stage embryos biopsied from 522 autologous preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidies cycles (PGT-A) performed between January of 2020 and December of 2022 and analysed through Next Generation Sequencing (NGS). All the embryos were cultured under the same conditions with one-step media in a time-lapse incubator and the PGT-A was performed in day 5 or day 6 of culture to determine the embryo ploidy status. Participants/materials, setting, methods Two groups were established based on the sperm selection method before ICSI. The study group using a microfluidic system (MS; ZyMōtICSI® or ZyMōtMulti®) included 256 blastocysts from 98 cycles, and a control group using density gradients (DG), with 1058 blastocysts from 424 cycles were compared. PGT-A determined the embryonic sex and for the PSR estimation, number abnormalities in the sexual chromosomes were excluded (i.e. XXY, X0, XYY). Chi-square test was performed to compare the groups. Main results and the role of chance Our data show that there was no statistical significance in the overall ratio of XY:XX embryos biopsied between both groups (p = 0.09). The PSR was 0.89 (47:53) in the study group (MS) and 1.12 (53:47) in the control group (DG). Although not statistically significant, the rate of XX embryos was 6% higher than XY embryos in the MS group. In contrast, in the DG group, the same increase in the rate of XY embryos was observed. If we consider only the euploid embryos which are the potentially born babies, the PSR acquires values of 0.96 for the DG group and 0.92 for the MS group (p = 0.86), showing an increase in euploid female embryos transferred compared to those euploid male embryos. However, it was not statistically significant. Limitations, reasons for caution The performance of PGT-A on blastocysts does not provide an entirely accurate representation of the PSR since it is carried out 5/6 days after the moment of fertilization; nevertheless, it is the technique that comes closest. Also, the low number of blastocysts in the study group represents a limitation. Wider implications of the findings The sperm selection for ICSI with microfluidic technology does not significantly alter the PSR. Trial registration number Not applicable