Artificial oocyte activation and intracytoplasmic sperm injection

Objective: To review different methods for artificial oocyte activation and its impact on intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Design: Literature review. Setting: University-based and university-affiliated medical centers. Patient(s): None. Intervention(s): None. Main Outcome Measure(s): None. Result(s): The ICSI procedure improves fertilization rates in cases of male factor infertility; however, fertilization failure still occurs in 2% to 3% of ICSI cycles. The main cause of failed fertilization is failure to complete oocyte activation. The investigators do not use a variety of mechanical, electrical, and chemical methods to mimic the calcium rise necessary to activate oocytes after ICSI. Chemical activation is the most commonly used method for artificial oocyte activation, resulting in high fertilization rates. Conclusion(s): Artificial oocyte activation (AOA) may be useful in selected patients who have low fertilization potential. Further studies are required to establish the biosafety of AOA, and clinical tests are needed to evaluate the activation potential of semen samples for proper patient selection. (Fertil Steril(R) 2010;94:520-6. (C) 2010 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.)