OBJECTIVETo determine the influence of sperm morphology on the outcomes and status of the neonates in in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET).

METHODSStrictly based on the WHO criteria, we divided semen samples into a moderately abnormal group (sperm of normal morphology 5% - 10%), a mildly abnormal group (10% < sperm of normal morphology < 15%) and a normal group (sperm of normal morphology > or = 15%) , and compared the rates of fertilization, cleavage, quality embryos, implantation, clinical pregnancy and live births among the three groups.

RESULTSThere were not significant differences in the patients' age among the three groups (P > 0.05). The fertilization rate was markedly lower in the moderately abnormal than in the mildly abnormal group (63.70% vs 73.74%, P < 0.05), but not significantly different from the normal group (63.70% vs 68.05%, P > 0.05). The rate of quality embryos of the normal group was the highest, significantly higher than that of the moderately abnormal group (44.83% vs 35.75%, P < 0.05), but no statistically significant differences were observed in the rates of cleavage, implantation and clinical pregnancy among the three groups (P > 0.05). A total of 125 babies were born from the 280 ET cycles, including 73 singletons and 26 twins, of whom none showed any congenital birth defects. No statistically significant differences were found in the rates of abortion, ectopic pregnancy and premature delivery, nor in the mean gestational period and average body weight of the neonates among the three groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONModerately abnormal sperm morphology did not affect the fertility rate of IVF, but significantly decreased the quality of embryos; mildly abnormal sperm morphology had no obvious influence on the rates of fertilization, cleavage, quality embryos, implantation, clinical pregnancy and live births; while normal sperm morphology played a limited role in predicting the outcomes and status of the neonates in IVF-ET.