1.     Egg cells

2.     Sperm cells

3.     Embryos

 

►►► The sensible and professional application of these methods improve the results after IVF/ICSI treatment and are indeed offered at our institutes.

1. Egg cells:

a.) Morphology: 1st and 2nd polar body, perivitelliner crack

b.) Cytoplasm abnormalities

c.) Extracytoplasmic abnormalities

d.) Spindle analysis (also important to position sperm cell
     at ICSI)

2. Sperm cell analysis:

a. ) Sperm analysis according to WHO-criteria – is applied at every IVF/ICSI

 

b.) Morphology Evaluation with the help of magnifications

(6.000 - 12.000 fold!)

This improves the clinical results of couples, whose last conventional ICSI-treatment failed.  The results for men with a higher level of sperm-DNA-fragmentation as well as with normal DNA-status sperm (Hazout et al., RBM-Online 2005) improve. The sperm morphology is predictable. There is a positive correlation between DNA-damages and abnormal morphology (Morris et al., Hum.Reprod. 2002; Aitken et al., Hum.Reprod. 2004; Bartoov et al., Fertil. Steril. 2003, Hum. Reprod. 2005): higher fertilization rates, higher percentage of TOP-embryos, higher pregnancy- (67%) and implantation-rates, the early spontaneous abortion rate is reduced (Bach M et al., Hum. Reprod. 2007; Zech NH et al., NEJM

 

c.) Hyalorunan Binding Assay: With this method, sperm cells can get analysed and selceted for ICSI. Only sperm cells, which show an intact acrosome reaction and are - according to scientific studies - well qualified to procure a fertilization and  lower the risk of miscarriages (obviously better genetics = PICSI)

d.) DNA-Fragmentation-Test: The sperm cells used here can not be used for ICSI; it is just a general analysis of the ejaculate to pick out genetically abnormal sperm cells.

3. Embryo Diagnostics:

a.) Non invasive: - Morphology: Speed of development, spindle analysis, Pronukleus development, first cell divisions

b.) Amount of blastomeres 

c.) Size and form of blastomeres

d.) Anukleäre fragments

e.) Cytoplasma

f.) Multi-Nucleation

g.) Cell compaction (Morula-stage) 
h.) Blastocyst development