Impact of male age on the outcome of assisted reproductive technology cycles using donor oocytes.

This study assessed the influence of the age of the male partner on the outcome of oocyte donation cycles. A total of 408 couples participating in 519 consecutive anonymous oocyte donation cycles were examined. Main outcome measures were fertilization rate, embryo quality, clinical pregnancy, implantation, miscarriage and live birth rates, as well as the total reproductive potential, which estimates the outcome from fresh and cryopreserved-thawed embryo transfers. A total of 241 cycles resulted in clinical pregnancy (48.5% of transfers). The mean embryo score for transferred embryos (ESTE) was higher in cycles resulting in pregnancy (P=0.003). Semen volume (P<0.001), sperm motility (P<0.001) and fertilization rate (P=0.04) decreased significantly with advanced male age, which did not correlate with mean ESTE or implantation rate. Fertilization rate was the only predictor of ESTE (B=16.066, P=0.012), whereas inseminated/retrieved egg ratio was the only predictor of implantation rate (B=0.555, P=0.039). Pregnancy was only predicted by ESTE (Exp(B)=1.023, P<0.001), which also was the only predictor of live birth (Exp(B)=1.017, P=0.009). There was no predictor of miscarriage (47 cycles, 9.1%) identified. Although semen volume, sperm motility and fertilization rate decreased with advanced male age, embryo quality, clinical pregnancy, implantation, miscarriage and live birth rates were not affected.

Evaluation of the meiotic spindle apparatus in metaphase II human oocytes following cytoplasmic donation.

PURPOSE: To determine if the removal of cytoplasm from metaphase II human donor oocytes damages the meiotic spindle apparatus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cryopreservation of metaphase II human oocytes was performed using a fast-freeze, fast-thaw protocol. Upon thaw, oocytes were incubated for 3-4 h and then used for cytoplasmic donation (test oocytes). Oocytes thawed but not used for donation served as controls. Test and control oocytes were fixed using a microtubule-stabilizing buffer. Tubulin was localized using antitubulin monoclonal antibody. Chromosomes were identified by counterstaining with DAPI. RESULTS: Forty-four oocytes had cytoplasm removed (test group) while 12 were not used for the procedure (controls). Twenty-three oocytes survived the donation procedure. Rates of normal spindle structure for the control and test groups were 21/23 (91.3%) and 12/12 (100%), respectively. CONCLUSION: The removal of cytoplasm from a metaphase II human donor oocyte does not appear to significantly increase the damage to chromosome alignment or to the spindle structure.