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Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics logoLink to Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics
. 1998 Jan;15(1):18–21. doi: 10.1023/A:1022570120207

Treatment Policy After Poor Fertilization in the First IVF Cycle

Jan Roest 1,, Arne M van Heusden 1, Gerard H Zeilmaker 2, Arie Verhoeff 1
PMCID: PMC3468199  PMID: 9493061

Abstract

Purpose:The chance of recurrence of poor fertilization in a second in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle was assessed.

Methods:Total fertilization failure was defined, and the relationship between the fertilization rate and the number of motile sperm cells per milliliter of semen was assessed. Patients with a total fertilization failure or poor fertilization (20% or less of the oocytes fertilized) were divided into three subgroups with different chances of fertilization and were followed in a subsequent IVF cycle.

Results:The recurrence rate of total fertilization failure was high in all three groups (45–70%), and poor fertilization frequently occurred in the second cycle (50–75%).

Conclusions:Poor fertilization frequently recurs in the second IVF cycle. The use of intracytoplasmic sperm injection could be considered after fertilization of 20% or less of oocytes in the first cycle, irrespective of the number of motile sperm cells per milliliter of semen.

Keywords: fertilization failure, poor fertilization

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