Assessment of sperm chromatin condensation and ploidy status using flow cytometry correlates to fertilization, embryo quality and pregnancy following in vitro fertilization

Purpose Sperm flow cytometry (SFC) was used to evaluate the association of sperm chromatin condensation and ploidy with fertilization, embryo development, pregnancy and abortion rates following IVF. Methods Conventional semen analysis was performed in one hundred fifty men, as well as SFC analysis, after acridine orange and propidium iodide staining, for the evaluation of sperm maturity and ploidy respectively. Conventional IVF was performed in all couples. Results Couples with low percentages of mature spermatozoa presented with lower fertilization rates (p < 0.005), lower rates of grade A embryos (p < 0.003) and lower pregnancy rates (p < 0.006), compared to couples with high percentages of mature spermatozoa. Couples with low total aneuploidy rates presented with higher fertilization rates (p < 0.007), higher rates of grade A embryos (p < 0.004) and higher pregnancy rates (p < 0.003), compared to couples with high total aneuploidy rates. Conclusions Sperm chromatin condensation and ploidy constitute critical parameters for the evaluation of semen samples before IVF and for the identification of cases in need of ICSI application.