Received June 10, 2009
Accepted June 15, 2009

According to strict morphologic sperm criteria, IVF results are sub-optimal when the sample has <14% normal morphology, and even worse when it is lower than 4%. Objective:To report the effect of sperm morphology on the results of IVF/ICSI in 165 IVF/ICSI cycles with ovum donation, an excellent model to asses the effect of sperm morphology). Methods:There were included 64 IVF cycles, 81 ICSI cycles and 20 mixed procedures (IVF/ICSI). The reason for ovum donation was ovarian failure in receptors. All donors were young, volunteer and anonymous with proven fertility. Receptors were synchronized with donors and all the retrieved ovocytes from a donor were used for a single receptor. Embryos were transferred in the same cycle at an average of 2.88±0.29 per receptor. Male patients had spermatograms with morphology following Kruger‘s criteria. According to the percentage of normal morphology, there resulted four groups: <4%(n=23); 4% to <10%(n=58); 10% to <14%(n=23), and ≥14%(n=61). The statistical analysis included the non parametric Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests, Chi square and Spearman’s Rho, according to the specific case. Results:We found no correlation between sperm morphology and normal fertilization rate, normal cleavage rate, good quality embryo rate, implantation rate, pregnancy rate and abortion rate in none of the 3 different procedures. Conclusion:According to our data, there is no influence of sperm morphology over none of the relevant variables for good outcomes in IVF. These findings make us reassess the reliability of sperm morphology as a good biomarker of good response to IVF and, even more, as an indication for ICSI.