Piezo‐assisted ICSI improves fertilization and blastocyst development rates compared with conventional ICSI in women aged more than 35 years

Abstract

Abstract Purpose Piezo‐assisted intracytoplasmic sperm injection (Piezo‐ICSI) is reported to be an effective method for inseminating fragile oocytes compared with conventional ICSI (c‐ICSI). However, infertile patient groups suitable for Piezo‐ICSI have not been elucidated. This study was conducted to determine age groups suitable for Piezo‐ICSI using sibling egg controls inseminated by a well‐trained embryologist to reduce technical inequalities. Methods A total of 947 matured oocytes were inseminated either by Piezo‐ICSI or by c‐ICSI in sibling oocytes as controls. Fertilization (2 pronuclei, PN), survival, and blastocyst development rates on day (D) 5 and D6 after insemination were compared between the Piezo‐ICSI and c‐ICSI groups. Further analyses were applied to groups of women > 35 or ≤35 years of age. Results There were no significant differences in fertilization, survival, or blastocyst development rates between the two insemination treatment groups. However, for women > 35 years of age, the fertilization ( P = .008) and blastocyst development ( P = .016) rates with Piezo‐ICSI on D5 and D6 were significantly higher than in those subjected to c‐ICSI. Conclusions Piezo‐ICSI was useful for inseminating oocytes from women >35 years of age.