Impact of Male Age and Semen Parameters on Blastocyst Morphology, Beta-HCG Positivity and Pregnancy Viability: A Retrospective Analysis in Frozen Embryo Transfer Cycles

Abstract

Background: This study was conducted to explore the impact of male age, sperm concentration and motility, on the blastocyst expansion, inner cell mass and trophectoderm grade of the blastocyst along with beta-HCG positivity and viability of pregnancy following a frozen embryo transfer.

Materials and methods: Data from Indore Infertility Clinic from January 2021 to December 2023 were utilized. ICSI cycles with a single frozen embryo transfer were used for analysis. Statistical analyses were performed using STATA-13/IC software and Microsoft Excel Professional Plus 2021.

Results: No significant correlation was found between male age and sperm concentration or motility. A positive correlation between sperm concentration and motility was observed in autologous sperm samples. There was no significant association between male age, sperm concentration and sperm motility with blastocyst expansion, inner cell mass grade or trophectoderm grade. No significant association was found between male age, sperm concentration and sperm motility with beta-HCG. A significant association was observed between inner cell mass grade and beta-HCG positivity. No significant association was found between cardiac activity and blastocyst morphology, male age, sperm concentration and motility.

Conclusion: This study did not reveal any significant associations between male age, semen parameters and blastocyst morphology. No association was found between male age, semen parameters to beta-HCG positivity and pregnancy viability. A significant association was found between quality of inner cell mass and beta-HCG positivity in autologous semen sample cases.

Keywords: Advanced male age; Blastocyst morphology; Blastocyst quality; ICSI; Male infertility; Semen parameters.