P-193: Effect of Calcium Ionophore on Fertilization and Pregnancy Rate in Infertile Patients with Teratospermia Candidate for Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection

Background: Chemical activation is the most frequently method for artificial oocyte activation, resultant in high fertilization rates. The aim of this prospective randomized controlled study is evaluating the effect of calcium ionophore on fertilization and pregnancy rate in infertile men suffering from teratoospermia. Materials and Methods: 38 women with teratoospermic partner were divided into two groups and underwent Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) with antagonist protocol. 313 metaphase ΙΙ oocytes selected for ICSI. In control group (n=145) routine ICSI was performed. In study group (n=168) immediately after ICSI, oocytes were entered to culture media plus 5 μΜ calcium ionophore (A23187) for 5 minutes, then washed at least 5 time by MOPS solution. In both groups, the oocytes were evaluated about 16-18 hours later for fertilization. Results: Thirty-eight ICSI cycles were included in this study. The number of embryos obtained and fertilized oocytes were significantly different in two groups (p value=0.04 in both). The fertilization and cleavage rate was not significantly different between study and control groups respectively (84.4, 87.74 vs. 95.33, 89.56%). Implantation rate was higher in study group in comparison with that of control group but was not significant (7.4 vs. 17.64%, p=0.14). No significant differences were observed between them in chemical and clinical pregnancy rate respectively (16.7, 16.7 vs. 47.1, 41.2%, p =0.07, p=0.14). Conclusion: Although in this study there were no significant difference in implantation and pregnancy rate,oocyte activation with calcium ionophore could increase fertilization rate in patients with teratoospermia.. If the sample size was larger, statistical results may be significant