RESUMO
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of sperm protamine deficiency on fertilization and embryo development post ICSI. Semen samples from 27 patients candidate for ICSI were assessed for semen parameters. Sperm processing was carried out using pure sperm and percentage of protamine deficient sperm was assessed by Chromomycin A3 post processing. Correlation between fertilization rate, embryo quality and cleavage score with protamine deficiency was assessed using SPSS statistical programme. A significant negative correlation was observed between fertilization rate and embryo quality score on day 3 with percentage of protamine deficient sperms. Semen samples with high percentage of protamine deficient sperms have lower fertilization rate and lower potential to develop good quality embryos