Received June 18, 2017
Accepted December 29, 2017

Objective: To select embryos with higher implantation potential, the extended culture has been the most frequently applied strategy worldwide, and consequently leads to higher live birth rates per transfer. Sperm quality is a determining feature may influence the outcomes of IVF since fertilization until the embryo development. Therefore, we hypothesize that the blastocyst formation may also be impaired by the general semen quality. Methods: We analysed 4205 IVF cycles and four study groups were designed according to semen quality: normal, mild alteration, severe alteration and epididymis. All cycles were intended to extend embryo culture until the blastocyst stage and embryo development were observed. Results: Regarding the cleavage rate, the normal and mild alteration semen groups were equivalent, and the severe alteration and epididymis semen groups were equivalent to each other. The blastocyst formation rate decreased with the semen quality. At least one blastocyst formed in 79.9% of cycles for the normal semen group, whereas the percentage of cycles with the formation of at least one blastocyst was slightly lower for the mild alteration (75.6%), severe alteration (76.4%) and epididymis (76.8%) semen groups. A multivariate logistic regression showed that for each additional cleaved embryo on day 3, the chance of having at least one blastocyst doubles. Additionally, the chance of having at least one blastocyst decreased when semen presented mild or severe alterations. Conclusion: The general quality of sperm is a good predictor of blastocyst formation, significantly affecting the chance of having at least one blastocyst at the end of the cycle. Based on our findings, it is necessary to consider the general quality of semen and number of cleaved embryos when predict the possibility of blastocyst formation and transfer in a extend culture system.