The use of fresh compared to frozen ejaculated sperm has no impact on fresh embryo transfer cycle reproductive outcomes.

Overview

PURPOSE: To compare the reproductive outcomes of fresh embryo transfer (ET) cycles utilizing fresh versus frozen ejaculated sperm. METHODS: First autologous fresh embryo transfer cycles at a single high-volume academic institution between 2013 and 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. IVF cycles using ejaculated sperm were included, and cycles using donor or surgically retrieved sperm were excluded. Sperm concentration was stratified as ≥ 5 and < 5 million/ml. The primary outcome was live birth, and the secondary outcomes were clinical intrauterine pregnancy (IUP) and miscarriage. A multivariable logistic regression model for the aforementioned outcomes was adjusted a priori for sperm concentration as well as maternal and paternal age. RESULTS: A total of 6128 couples were included. Of these, 5780 (94.3%) utilized fresh sperm, and 348 (5.7%) frozen sperm. A total of 5716 (93.2%) had sperm concentrations ≥ 5 million/ml and 412 (6.7%) had sperm concentrations < 5 million/ml. On multivariable logistic regression, the use of freshly ejaculated sperm was not associated with significantly different odds of clinical IUP, miscarriage, or live birth when compared to cycles using frozen sperm. CONCLUSION: For couples conceiving via fresh ET, the use of fresh versus frozen ejaculated sperm is not associated with reproductive outcomes.