Purpose To evaluate whether sperm preparation (swim-up technique) before freezing improves the percentages of sperm motility, sperm viability, and non-apoptotic spermatozoa after freezing-thawing process compared with preparation after cryopreservation. Methods Semen samples from 65 infertile males were equally divided into two aliquots one of which was processed for swim-up prior to cryopreservation and one of which was processed following cryopreservation. Sperm count, motility, and apoptosis index were measured in each group. Result (s) The total sperm count and the total motile sperm count decreased after thawing in both the pre-preparation and non-preparation groups compared with neat semen group (P<0.001). Moreover, the percentage of apoptotic sperm in the pre-preparation group after cryopreservation was lower than that in the non-preparation group (P<0.05), whereas the percentage of vital sperm with progressive motility was higher than that in the pre-preparation group (P<0.001). Conclusion (s) Semen preparation by swim-up before freezing resulted in better sperm quality and fewer apoptotic sperm than sperm preparation after thawing. Therefore, sperm preparation before cryopreservation should be considered in routine sperm cryopreservation.

No abstract

Background/Aims: Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) priming has been studied in in vitro matured oocytes for oocyte maturation rate, embryo quality, and pregnancy rate with discouraging results. This study aimed to initiate FSH stimulation later, i.e. on day 6, to prolong natural endometrial priming and promote oocyte maturation. Methods: Forty polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) patients were enrolled into a single, blinded (investigator), randomized, controlled study, and randomly allocated to group 1 (no FSH priming) or group 2 (day 6 recombinant FSH priming). Oocytes were retrieved after human chorionic gonadotropin injection on day 10. After 27 or 51 h of incubation, only mature oocytes were denuded and fertilized by intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Two day 3 embryos were transferred in most patients. Rates of oocyte maturation, cleavage, and pregnancy were compared. Results: The oocyte maturation rates within 51 h were 62.6 and 72.7% in groups 1 and 2, respectively (p < 0.01). The embryo cleavage rate was significantly higher in group 2 than in group 1 (77.3 vs. 63.6%, p < 0.05). The pregnancy rate was higher in group 1 than in group 2 (50 vs. 30%, p > 0.05). Conclusion: FSH priming is beneficial for promotion of the maturation and quality of oocytes, leading to a higher embryo cleavage rate and lower rate of pregnancy loss.