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Selected IMSI References

The IMSI procedure improves poor embryo development in the same infertile couples with poor semen quality: a comparative prospective randomized study.

Knez K, Zorn B, Tomazevic T, Vrtacnik-Bokal E, Virant-Klun I. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia. nez [DOT] katja [AT] gmail [DOT] com

Reprod Biol Endocrinol. 2011 Aug 29;9:123. (Download Free PDF)

BACKGROUND: Sperm of poor quality can negatively affect embryo development to the blastocyst stage. The aim of this comparative prospective randomized study was to evaluate the role of an intracytoplasmic morphologically selected sperm injection (IMSI) in the same infertile couples included in the programme of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) due to their indications of male infertility which had resulted in all arrested embryos following a prolonged 5-day culture in previous ICSI cycles.

METHODS: Couples exhibiting poor semen quality and with all arrested embryos following a prolonged 5-day culture in previous ICSI cycles were divided into two groups: Group 1: IMSI group (n = 20) with IMSI performed in a current attempt and Group 2: ICSI group (n = 37) with a conventional ICSI procedure performed in a current attempt of in vitro fertilization. Fertilization rate, embryo development, implantation, pregnancy and abortion rates were compared between current IMSI and conventional ICSI procedures, and with previous ICSI attempts.

RESULTS: The IMSI group was characterized by a higher number of blastocysts per cycle than the ICSI group (0.80 vs. 0.65) after a prolonged 5-day embryo culture. There was a significantly lower number of cycles with all arrested embryos and cycles with no embryo transfer in the IMSI group versus the ICSI group (0% vs. 27.0%, p = 0.048). After the transfer of embryos at the blastocyst or morula stage (on luteal day 5) a tendency toward higher implantation and pregnancy rates per cycle was achieved in the IMSI group compared to the ICSI group (17.1% vs. 6.8%; 25.0% vs. 8.1%, respectively), although not statistically significant. After IMSI, all pregnancies achieved by the blastocyst transfer were normally on-going, whereas after ICSI, two of three pregnancies ended in spontaneous abortion. After IMSI, two pregnancies were also achieved by the morula stage
embryos, whereas after the conventional ICSI procedure, embryos at the morula stage did not implant.

CONCLUSIONS: The IMSI procedure improved embryo development and the laboratory and clinical outcomes of sperm microinjection in the same infertile couples with male infertility and poor embryo development over the previous ICSI attempts.

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Intracytoplasmic injection of morphologically selected spermatozoa (IMSI) improves outcome after assisted reproduction by deselecting physiologically poor quality spermatozoa.

Wilding M, Coppola G, di Matteo L, Palagiano A, Fusco E, Dale B. Centro Fecondazione Assistita, Clinica Villa del Sole, Via Manzoni 15, 80122, Napoli, Italy. martinwilding [AT] hotmail [DOT] com

J Assist Reprod Genet. 2011 Mar;28(3):253-62. Epub 2010 Nov 12. (Download Free PDF)

PURPOSE: We used computer assisted sperm selection (MSOME) during cycles of intracytoplasmic sperm injection to test whether this technique improves results over traditional ICSI protocols. We also used the TUNEL assay to test whether MSOME could deselect physiologically abnormal spermatozoa.

METHODS: Individual spermatozoa were examined with MSOME. Normal and abnormal spermatozoa were tested for the level of DNA fragmentation using TUNEL assay. In a prospective, randomized trial, patients were selected for standard ICSI, or IMSI techniques. We tested the two groups for biological and clinical parameters.

RESULTS: 64.8% of spermatozoa, otherwise selectable for ICSI, were characterized by abnormalities after computer-assisted sperm analysis. These sperm were also characterized by an increase in the level of DNA fragmentation. We noted an increase in embryo quality, pregnancy and implantation rates after computerized sperm selection during ICSI procedures.

CONCLUSIONS: Computerised selection of spermatozoa during ICSI procedures deselects physiological abnormal spermatozoa and improves clinical results.

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Intracytoplasmic sperm injection outcome versus intracytoplasmic morphologically selected sperm injection outcome: a meta-analysis.

Souza Setti A, Ferreira RC, Paes de Almeida Ferreira Braga D, de Cássia Sávio Figueira R, Iaconelli A Jr, Borges E Jr. Sapientiae Institute-Educational and Research Center in Assisted Reproduction, R. Vieira Maciel, 62. 04503-040 São Paulo, SP, Brazil.

Reprod Biomed Online. 2010 Oct;21(4):450-5. Epub 2010 Jun 19.

The development of a modified intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), called intracytoplasmic morphologically selected sperm injection (IMSI), demonstrated that a profound morphological investigation of the spermatozoon, under the magnification of 6600 x, enables outcome improvement. The aim of this study was to compare ICSI outcome with IMSI outcome. The meta-analysis results demonstrated no significant difference in fertilization rate between ICSI and IMSI groups. However, a significantly improved implantation (odds ratio (OR) 2.72; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.50-4.95) and pregnancy rate (OR 3.12; 95% CI 1.55-6.26) was observed in IMSI cycles. Moreover, the results showed a significantly decreased miscarriage rate (OR 0.42; 95% CI 0.23-0.78) in IMSI cycles as compared with ICSI cycles. This is the first meta-analysis of published data to evaluate the potential benefits of IMSI. The pooled data of IMSI cycles demonstrate a statistically significant improvement in implantation and pregnancy rates and a statistically significant reduction in miscarriage rates. However, more randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm these results.