To investigate whether both sperm motility and morphology affect in vitro fertilization (IVF) parameters and subsequent embryo development, analyze the differences in IVF parameters and embryo development between primary infertility patients and secondary infertility patients, and investigate whether half-intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and rescue-ICSI improves fertilization outcome.

Patients who underwent IVF-embryo transfer (ET) at the Reproductive Medicine Center of Shenyang, Jiuzhou Family Hospital from January to December 2016 were divided into an astheno-teratozoospermia group (group A) and a control group (Group B). Group A were further divided into a primary infertility group (group P) and a secondary infertility group (group S). The differences in fertilization parameters were compered between different groups.

The fertilization rate and 2PN fertilization rate were significantly lower in group A than in group B (61.23% vs. 75.19%, 43.05% vs. 56.58%, P<0.01). No statistically significant differences were observed in cleavage rate, 2PN cleavage rate, or good-quality embryo rate between groups A and B. The fertilization rate and clinical pregnancy rate were significantly lower in group P than in group S (56.35% vs. 66.37%, P<0.01; 33.33% vs. 73.33%, P<0.05). The good-quality embryo rate in rescue-ICSI was significantly higher in group B than in group A (60.61% vs. 39.74%, P<0.01).

Although astheno-teratozoospermia can significantly affect IVF rate and 2PN fertilization rate, the subsequent embryo development and clinical pregnancy are not significantly affected. Primary astheno-teratozoospermia affects IVF rate and clinical pregnancy rate. Short-term fertilization should be chosen in cases with primary astheno-teratozoospermia to avoid fertilization failure and low filiation rate. Both sperm motility and morphology are important for IVF parameters and subsequent embryo development.

Astheno-teratozoospermia; In vitro fertilization; Fertilization rate; Embryo development