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Evidence summaries

Predictive Value of Normal Sperm Morphology

Sperm morphology may be predictive in the assessment of male fertility at in vitro fertilisation. Level of evidence: "C"

A systematic review 1 including 18 studies was abstracted in DARE.

Using a 5% threshold normal sperm morphology 10/10 studies showed a positive predictive value for normal sperm morphology in fertilisation with 9/10 reaching significance. 9/11 studies produced positive predictive values for prediction of pregnancy, with 2/10 reaching significance. The overall pregnancy rates were 15.2% per cycle for the <5% group and 26% for the >5% group.

    References

    • Coetzee K, Kruge TF, Lombard CJ. Predictive value of normal sperm morphology: a structured literature review. Hum Reprod Update 1998 Jan-Feb;4(1):73-82. [PubMed][DARE]

Primary/Secondary Keywords