Thesis (Ph.D.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Science - Department of Zoology

The present study evaluated the effect of calcium ionophore A23187 on sperm and oocytes in intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles using sperm from different sources. The 240 cycles evaluated were divided into three groups: The first Group: The sperm treated by calcium ionophore A23187, this group involved (80) ICSI cycles. The Second Group: Oocytes treated by calcium ionophore A23187, this group involved (80) ICSI cycles. The Third Group: Both oocytes and sperm treated by calcium ionophore A23187, this group involved (80) ICSI cycles. Each group divided into four subgroups according to sperm quality and origin (normospermia- oligoathenoteratospermia {u2013} epidermal {u2013}testicular), subgroups were further split into experimental groups, depending on whether or not treated with calcium ionophore . For each experimental subgroup, ICSI outcomes were compared between groups. In conclusion we found that using calcium ionophore increase the fertilization rate in case of sperm treatment with calcium ionophore before ICSI for oligoathenoteratospermia (OAT) & testicular subgroups, with enhancing embryos quality in testicular subgroup only .Also in case of oocytes treatments with calcium ionophore after ICSI increases the fertilization for oligoathenoteratospermia, epididymal (PESA) & testicular (TESE) patients without any effect on the embryos quality. We found that using calcium ionophore for both the sperm and the oocyts enhance the fertilization rate for the oligoathenoteratospermia, epididymal (PESA) and testicular (TESE) patients, without any effect on embryos quality. If we compare the three routes, we will find that no difference in the fertilization rate if we treat the sperm or the oocyte with calcium ionophore, but if we treat both of them with calcium ionophore this will enhance the fertilization rate in oligoathenoteratospermia, epididymal (PESA) & testicular patients

Issued also as CD