INTRODUCTION

The conventional IVF is performed when the male factor is normal or subfertile with good oocyte quality. However, since the total motile sperm count and the managed amount after the semen preparation varies significantly, it is considered that the pregnancy rate is high with high total motile sperm count. we are to evaluate if the total motile sperm count after the semen preparation affect the pregnancy rate.

DESIGN

Retrospective study

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study included 462 IVF cycles between January 2011 and December 2012, and controlled ovarian hyperstimulation was performed with the GnRH agonist or GnRH antagonist protocol.
The conventional IVF of semen was performed when the male factor was normal or subfertile. Sperm wash was performed via density gradient centrifugation. Each oocyte was inseminated within 4-5 hours after retrieval by adding 10,000 motile spermatozoa. Four groups were formed according to the total motile sperm count:
(A) group: ≤ 20x106/mL (n=99)
(B) group: 20 <and ≤ 30x106/mL (n=143)
(C) group: 30 <and ≤ 40x106/mL (n=122)
(D) group: 40<and ≤ 60x106/mL (n=98)
The outcome measures included the method of fertilization, the pregnancy, and the ongoing pregnancy rate.

RESULTS

The mean±SD age of all the patients was 36.5±4.5 years. An average of 2.0±0.3 embryos were transferred per cycle. The fertilization rates were similar for the four groups (90.8±14.7, 94.1±13.6, 93.7±13.5, and 92.5±12.6). Although the pregnancy rate was higher in groups C and D than in groups A and B, the significant differences were not found (46.5, 43.4, 51.6, and 49.0%, P=0.60). The differences in ongoing pregnancy rate between the four groups were not statistically significant (42.4, 40.6, 48.4, and 43.9%, P=0.55).

CONCLUSION

According to our result, the pregnancy rate was high with the high total motile sperm count after the semen preparation. However, the significant difference was not found. In conclusion, it seems like there is no correlation between the total motile sperm count and the pregnancy rate.