Intoduction: Fertilization failure is the most common problem in assisted reproductive technology. In incident of ovum and/or spermatozoa correlated fertilization difficulties after intracytoplasmic sperm injection, approaches of modified ICSI techniques, can be done using Ca 2+ ionophore.
The objective of the research: Effectiveness of Ca 2+ ionophore was studied on the embryonic outcome in female patients with bad quality oocytes while her partner has normal semen analysis.
Material and Methods: Thirty-eight couples have undergone ICSI, with female age ranging between 40 to 45 years old.
The retrieved oocytes were subdivided into 4 groups; good quality oocytes (IA), good quality oocytes with adding Ca 2+ ionophore treatment (IIA) , bad quality oocytes (IB), in addition, bad quality oocytes with adding Ca 2+ ionophore treatment (IIB), all were inserted by the corresponding sperms. Examination of the embryos was done on day two after fertilization, cleavage stage, and blastula stage.
Results: Treated good quality oocytes showed fertilization of 92%of the oocytes compared to 68% of the untreated good quality oocytes. Treated bad quality oocytes showed fertilization of 85% of the oocytes compared to 65% of the untreated bad quality oocytes. The quality of embryos was enhanced on day two after fertilization, day three (cleavage stage), and day five (blastula stage) in both treated groups than in the untreated ones.
Conclusion : The activated oocytes resulted in better fertilization and embryonic development. Therefore, ICSI combined with artificial oocyte activation using Ca 2+ ionophore is useful in mid-age female patients with good and bad quality oocytes regardless the cause.