Non-Male Factor Only—ICSI Can Overcome Oocyte Factor in PCOS Patients

Abstract

Background: In this research, we retrospectively studied the influence of the IVF vs. the ICSI technique on embryo morphokinetics by means of a time-lapse incubator in fresh cycles. Methods: A total of 2645 treatment cycles resulting in ovum pick-up of 11,471 fertilized oocytes were included in the research from 2018 to 2022. The embryos were grouped according to IVF or ICSI. Embryonic development was monitored using a time-lapse incubator, and they were transferred on day 3 or 5. Results: The embryos in the ICSI group developed faster and had less fragmentation. However, fewer 2PNs were achieved and more embryos were discarded compared to IVF. When sibling oocytes treated with either IVF or ICSI were analyzed, we found that ICSI resulted in quicker development and higher KIDScores. Discussion: The anovulation and PCOS subgroups were the primary contributors to the high KIDScores in sibling oocytes, indicating that ICSI might have beneficial effects on oocyte factors, similar to the positive results it provides when male factors are involved. Conclusions: Women with PCOS undergoing IVF had better results when ICSI was used compared to spontaneous IVF. This study reveals that ICSI is superior to IVF in female factor infertility.