OBJECTIVE: The paternal genome is believed to be activated at around the 6-8 cell stage. Surgically retrieved sperm from the epididymis and testis where spermatogenesis itself is often impaired may have a negative influence on embryonic progression to the blastocyst stage. Paternal influence on embryonic cleavage, compaction, stages of arrest and blastulation was studied in embryos derived from ICSI with sperm isolated from the testis, epidiymis or semen of men with oligoteratospermia.DESIGN: Retrospective analysis.MATERIALS AND METHODS: In vitro fertilization cycles and outcomes were studied in 241 patients undergoing treatment at the Cleveland Clinic Fertility Center. Women included in this analysis were less than 39 years of age. Oocytes were cultured in microdrops of HTF/HSA. All mature oocytes were fertilized by ICSI. Three groups were established on the basis of sperm source used for the ICSI procedure: Group A: Testicular sperm Group B: Epididymal sperm and Group C: Semen from males with oligoteratospermia (OT). Males in this group had overall sperm counts of 10 million/ml or less and 0-1% normal morphology by Kruger's strict criteria. Embryos were observed and graded daily. On Day 3 embryos were selected for transfer based on cell stage, fragmentation, blastomere appearance and compaction. Excess embryos were either cryopreserved on Day 3 or placed in extended culture for cryopreserved at blastocyst /morula stage. Statistical analysis was performed using the Chi square and Kruskal-Wallis test as appropriate. P-values of less than 0.05 were considered to be significant.Tabled 1Sperm Type and Clinical OutcomeA TestisB EpididymisC Semen - OTRetrievals807784Transfers787583Age32.8 ± 3.632.0 ± 4.033.1 ± 3.4Fertilization rate62%65%76%1Significantly different from A, B;Cleavage rate98%97%98%ET number2.5 ± 0.72Significantly different from B2.2 ± 0.62.3 ± 0.6Clinical Pregnancy53%63%57%Implantation rate31%40%37%Frozen on Day 315%10%22%Development of embryos not transferred or frozen on Day 3 (expressed as % of total embryos placed in extended culture)Arrested <=12 cells29%26%26%Arrested compaction37%35%24%Frozen at morula4%1%4%Blastocyst formation42%38%46%Frozen at blastocyst24%22%30%1 Significantly different from A, B;2 Significantly different from B Open table in a new tab CONCLUSIONS: Type of spermatogenic dysfunction and source of sperm did not appear to directly influence the subsequent pattern of embryonic development of fertilized zygotes. Half of the embryos placed in extended culture arrested prior to the morula stage. OBJECTIVE: The paternal genome is believed to be activated at around the 6-8 cell stage. Surgically retrieved sperm from the epididymis and testis where spermatogenesis itself is often impaired may have a negative influence on embryonic progression to the blastocyst stage. Paternal influence on embryonic cleavage, compaction, stages of arrest and blastulation was studied in embryos derived from ICSI with sperm isolated from the testis, epidiymis or semen of men with oligoteratospermia. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In vitro fertilization cycles and outcomes were studied in 241 patients undergoing treatment at the Cleveland Clinic Fertility Center. Women included in this analysis were less than 39 years of age. Oocytes were cultured in microdrops of HTF/HSA. All mature oocytes were fertilized by ICSI. Three groups were established on the basis of sperm source used for the ICSI procedure: Group A: Testicular sperm Group B: Epididymal sperm and Group C: Semen from males with oligoteratospermia (OT). Males in this group had overall sperm counts of 10 million/ml or less and 0-1% normal morphology by Kruger's strict criteria. Embryos were observed and graded daily. On Day 3 embryos were selected for transfer based on cell stage, fragmentation, blastomere appearance and compaction. Excess embryos were either cryopreserved on Day 3 or placed in extended culture for cryopreserved at blastocyst /morula stage. Statistical analysis was performed using the Chi square and Kruskal-Wallis test as appropriate. P-values of less than 0.05 were considered to be significant. CONCLUSIONS: Type of spermatogenic dysfunction and source of sperm did not appear to directly influence the subsequent pattern of embryonic development of fertilized zygotes. Half of the embryos placed in extended culture arrested prior to the morula stage.