Beneficial Effect of Adding Pentoxifylline to Processed Semen Samples on ICSI Outcome in Infertile Males

Beneficial Effect of Adding Pentoxifylline to Processed Semen Samples on ICSI Outcome in Infertile Males With Mild and Moderate Asthenozoospermia: Randomized Controlled Prospective Crossover Study

To evaluate the effect of pentoxifylline used in preparation of semen samples that will be used for ICSI in infertile men complaining of mild and moderate asthenozoospermia (i.e. cases which does not need motility enhancement prior to ICSI) in comparison to semen samples without pentoxifylline preparation on the outcome of ICSI.

The primary outcome measures were the number of oocytes retrieved, the number of oocytes injected, number of oocytes fertilized, fertilization rate, number of embryos and their quality (G1: good embryos, G2: fair embryos and G3: bad embryos), number of embryos transferred (ET), number of embryo sacs, embryo implantation rate, pregnancy rate and abortion rate for all 3 groups and pregnancy rate and abortion rate for both group (I) and group (II).

Inclusion Criteria:

• seeking ICSI for infertility

Exclusion Criteria:

• Pyospermia, presence of antisperm antibodies. Azoospermia, severe male factor, severe asthenozoospermia. Past history of orchitis. Patients who received empirical treatment for asthenozoospermia e.g. oral Pentoxifylline, l-carnitine or antioxidants during the past 3 to 6 month. Diabetics, hypertensives or patients with any other chronic systemic illnesses. Wife's age more than 35 years. Low antral count. Presence of any ovarian factor contributing to infertility e.g. polycystic ovaries.