Effect of Calcium Ionophore on the Embryonic Outcome of the Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection in Female Patients with Good & Bad Quality Oocytes: Histomorphometric Study

Abstract

Abstract Introduction Fertilization failure is the most common problem in assisted reproductive technology . In incident of ovum and/or spermatozoa correlated fertilization difficulties after intracytoplasmic sperm injection, approaches of modified ICSI techniques, which can be done using Ca 2+ ionophores. The objective of the research Effectiveness of Ca 2+ ionophores was studied on the embryonic outcome in female patients with bad quality oocytes while her partner has normal semen analysis. Materials and Methods Thirty-eight couples have undergone ICSI, with female age ranging between 40 to 45 years old. The retrieved oocytes were subdivided into 4 groups; good quality oocytes, good quality ovums with adding Ca 2+ ionophore treatment, bad quality ovums in addition, bad quality ovums with adding Ca 2+ ionophore treatment, all were inserted by the corresponding sperms. Examination of the embryos was done on day two after fertilization, cleavage stage, and blastulation stage. Results Treated good quality oocytes showed fertilization of (92%) of the oocytes compared to (68%) of the untreated good quality oocytes. Treated bad quality oocytes showed fertilization of (85%) of the oocytes compared to (65%) of the untreated bad quality oocytes. The quality of embryos was enhanced on day two after fertilization, day three (cleavage stage), and day five (blastulation stage) in both treated groups than in the untreated ones. Conclusion The activated oocytes resulted in better fertilization and embryonic development. Therefore, ICSI combined with artificial oocyte activation using Ca 2+ ionophore is useful in mid-age female patients with good and bad quality oocytes regardless the cause.