HYPERSPERM, A NOVEL SPERM PREPARATION METHOD FOR HUMAN IN VITRO FERTILIZATION (IVF), IMPROVES EMBRYO DEVELOPMENT IN A PROSPECTIVE SIBLING OOCYTE PILOT STUDY

Problem statement

Sperm capacitation is critical for fertilization and embryo development. Current sperm preparation techniques for IVF do not provide full capacitation, impacting cycle efficiency. We tested whether HyperSperm, a novel sperm preparation method that maximizes capacitation by recapitulating in vivo conditions in the fallopian tubes, is associated with better reproductive outcomes in IVF.

Methods

Single-center, split oocyte study in 10 couples undergoing IVF with donated oocytes and partner semen. Inclusion criteria: women aged 20-45 years; men aged 20-50, sperm count ≥5x10^6 after swim-up, sperm motility≥40%; morphology≥6% and DNA fragmentation (TUNEL)<20%. Sperm samples were divided into two halves and either processed by swim-up (Control) or treated with HyperSperm. Fourteen cumulus-oocyte complexes were assigned to each patient, 7 in each arm, and inseminated with the corresponding sperm preparation. Embryos were cultured in an Esco Miri time-lapse incubator to blastocyst stage. The primary outcome was blastocyst rate. Secondary outcomes were fertilization rate, embryo quality according to Gardner’s score, and developmental morphokinetic (t2, t3, t4, cc2, s2, t5, t8, cc3, tM, tB). Differences between groups were analyzed by Fisher`s exact test for fertilization and blastocyst rates, and by log-rank test (Mantel-Cox) for developmental times. A p<0.05 was considered significant.

Results

The blastocyst rate was significantly higher in the HyperSperm group (36/53, 67.9% vs. 21/47, 44.7%; p=0.0159). HyperSperm increased blastocyst numbers in 8/10 cases, with an average 1.5 more blastocysts available for each patient. Moreover, 55.5% of the blastocysts obtained with HyperSperm were top quality (AA, grade 3 or above), and 41.7% good quality (AB/BA/BB grade 3 or above). Fertilization rate and morphokinetic development of HyperSperm blastocysts were not different from Control for all parameters (p>0.05). One healthy baby boy was born from the HyperSperm treatment, and two more pregnancies are in their third trimester, progressing normally.

Conclusion

Sperm capacitated with HyperSperm give rise to more, better quality blastocyst in IVF. Optimization of sperm preparation for fertilization could lower access barriers to IVF through higher cumulative success rates and lower treatment repetitions in IVF.