Comparison Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection and In Vitro Fertilization in Patients with Only Few Oocyte Retrieval and Non-Male Infertility

The aim of this work was to compare the efficacy of Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) and conventional In vitro Fertilization (IVF) in patients with only few oocytes was available for insemination. A total of 333 cycles with only one or two retrieved oocytes performed in 303 non-male infertile couples were retrospectively reviewed. Cycles were divided in two groups by different techniques: ICSI group (147 cycles) and IVF group (186 cycles). Groups were compared in terms of cycle cancellation rates, fertilization rates, cleavage rates, good-quality embryo rate, implantation rates, clinical pregnancy rates and miscarriage rates. The results showed that the clinical pregnancy rate (12.2% versus 22.5%) and implantation rate (11.8% versus 19%) were significantly lower in the ICSI group compared with the conventional IVF group. No significant differences were found in terms of cycle cancellation rate (23.1% versus 17.2%), fertilization rate (71% versus 77.6%), cleavage rate (97.4% versus 99%) and good-quality embryo rate (65% versus 60%) respectively. Our results suggest that, in patients with only few oocytes and in the absence of a male factor, conventional IVF might be the technique of choice.