A successful outcome of in vitro fertilization in absolute teratozoospermia after spermatozoon selection by the zeta potential

Modern sperm selection methods have not been widely applied in embryological practice, which is primarily associated with the insufficient volume of the documentary basis on their effectiveness. Sperm selection by the zeta potential is one of few methods, the clinical results of which have been published in the world literature.

Case report: This paper describes a clinical case of the in vitro fertilization protocol with sperm selection by the zeta potential in a couple with a history of few unsuccessful attempts to use assisted reproductive technologies (ART). The main cause of infertility in the couple was absolute teratozoospermia (0% of morphologically intact spermatozoa by Kruger’s strict criteria). After intracytoplasmatic injection of the sperm selected by the zeta potential into the oocytes, seven normal zygotes formed; three embryos developed; two embryos were cryo-preserved, and one embryo was transferred into the uterine cavity with the subsequent onset of pregnancy that resulted in the birth of a baby.

Conclusion: Sperm selection by the zeta potential and other studied methods for selecting male gametes deserve more active use in the ART protocols, especially in couples with repeated implantation failures. The experience gained in this way will be able to choose the most effective methods, to formulate indications for each of them, and provide a rationale their application in the context of evidence-based medicine.