Male factor infertility diagnoses, but not male age, significantly affect the yield of usable embryos in donor oocyte cycles.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the impact of male age and male factor infertility on embryo suitability for transfer in in vitro fertilization cycles in which female factor is controlled.

DESIGN

The national Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology Clinic Outcome Reporting System cycle data were used to evaluate the impact of male age and male factor infertility diagnosis on embryo suitability for transfer in cycles using nonidentified donor oocytes. Male age was primarily analyzed as a categorical variable (<30, 30-39, 40-49, and ≥50 years).

SUBJECTS: All in vitro fertilization cycles using nonidentified donor oocytes with preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy between 2017 and 2022 were included.

EXPOSURE: Male age and male factor diagnosis.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Number of embryos biopsied for preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy and number of embryos suitable for transfer.

RESULTS

The median number of embryos biopsied per cycle and the median number of embryos suitable for transfer did not differ across male age groups. When comparing all cycles with and without male factor infertility, regardless of age, there was a similar number of embryos biopsied per cycle (5 [3,8] vs. 5 [3,8]), but a higher median number of embryos suitable for transfer (4 [2,6] vs. 3 [2,5]) in the cycles with no male factor diagnoses. When examining outcomes by specific male factor diagnoses, no differences were seen in the number of embryos biopsied or the number suitable for transfer.

CONCLUSION

Together, these data suggest that although male age does not significantly impact embryo suitability for transfer, the presence of any male factor diagnoses does decrease the number of embryos available for transfer.