Collecting a semen sample at home for an ART procedure positively affects the blastocyst and embryo utilization rate

Stimpfel, Martin; Jancar, Nina; Vrtacnik-Bokal, Eda

RESEARCH QUESTION: Does the site of semen collection have any influence on the IVF/ICSI cycle outcome? DESIGN: A retrospective study was carried out at the Department of Human Reproduction, Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Medical Centre Ljubljana. All stimulated and spontaneous IVF/ICSI cycles (with at least one oocyte retrieved) performed in 2019 with fresh ejaculated semen samples were included. The outcome of the ICSI/IVF cycles in terms of oocytes, embryos and pregnancy rates according to the approach of semen sample collection (at home or at clinic) was evaluated. RESULTS: Compared to samples collected at the clinic, semen samples collected at home had significantly higher mean spermatozoa concentrations (60.7 ± 33.0 million/ml vs. 51.9 ± 36.9 million/ml; P=0.001), higher total sperm counts (156.3±113.6 million vs. 138.6±131.4 million; P=0.004) and better motility (59.5% ± 19.6% vs. 55.1% ± 21.9%; P=0.005). The number of retrieved oocytes per cycle was similar (collected at home vs. at clinic; 8.6±7.1 vs. 9.1±6.4; P=0.341). The mean number of embryos was similar between the groups (4.4±4.3 vs. 4.5±3.8; P=0.740), but the blastocyst rate was significantly higher in group where semen was collected at home (52.2% vs. 46.4%; P=0.001). The same was true for the cryopreserved embryo rate (34.7% vs. 30.0%; P=0.003) and embryo utilization rate (56.7% vs. 52.4%; P=0.011). There was no difference in pregnancy rate (collected at home vs. at clinic; 33.8% vs. 34.4%; P=0.888). CONCLUSIONS: Collecting semen at home has a positive effect on sperm quality, blastocyst rate and embryo utilization rate, although it does not affect the pregnancy rate.