Efficiency of hyaluronic acid (HA) sperm selection

• DOI: 10.1007/s10815-009-9380-0
• Publication Date: 2009-12-29T06:19:37Z
• Authors: Lodovico Parmegiani; Graciela Estela C...; Walter Ciampaglia; Patrizia Pocognoli; Francesca Marchi; Marco Filicori
• Keywords: Embryo quality

Hyaluronic Acid (HA) has a role as "physiologic selector" for spermatozoa prior to intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). The objective of this study is to analyze the results achievable by the introduction of a routine HA-ICSI programme.We retrospectively observed 293 couples treated with HA-ICSI versus 86 couples treated with conventional PVP-ICSI (historical control group). ICSI was performed on a limited number of oocytes per patient (1-3) according to Italian IVF law at the time of the study. Main outcome measures observed were: fertilization, embryo quality, implantation and pregnancy.This study showed that Injection of HA-bound spermatozoa (HA-ICSI) significantly improves embryo quality and implantation.If wider multi-center randomized studies will confirm these beneficial effects on ICSI outcome, HA could be considered as a routine choice for "physiologic" sperm selection prior to ICSI.