Early Clinical Outcomes in an IVF Program Using ICSI Following Sample Collection in a Device Specifically Designed for Semen Collection (ProteX) vs a Standard Specimen Cup

Purpose: The advent of ICSI has given rise to the concept that sperm need only intact DNA to complete the fertilization process. The role other semen parameters play in later embryo development is more controversial. Recently, a new sperm collection device (DISC), specifically designed to maximize the quality of samples used in clinical procedures, was introduced in clinical practice for semen collection. The following is the first report of outcomes from a large-scale retrospective study in an IVF setting using ICSI. Methods: A total of 1056 couples undergoing IVF using ICSI used either an SSC or DISC to collect their semen. Further, approximately 40% of the patients in each group produced their semen samples away from the clinic. Data collected included both partners’ ages, standard semen parameters, stimulation and fertilization results, and embryo outcomes. The primary embryo outcome was the percentage of embryos cryopreserved as high-quality expanded blastocysts. Results: Male partners were of similar ages between groups. However, men producing a sample in the DISC device had higher initial counts and motility than men producing in the SSC (P Discussion: These retrospective data suggest that producing semen in a more physiological collection container DISC may provide a larger pool of healthy sperm for IVF procedures and enhance outcomes such as the usable blastocyst rate.