Urogenital and endocrine health of boys conceived by ICSI due to male factor infertility: a comparative study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37800/RM.3.2026.902Keywords:
intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), in vitro fertilization (IVF), male factor infertility, boys, urogenital pathology, inhibin B, anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH)Abstract
Relevance: Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is one of the most widely used methods for overcoming male infertility. However, the influence of this fertilization method and the father's underlying reproductive health on early urogenital and endocrine characteristics of male offspring remains insufficiently studied.
The study aimed to compare the frequency of urogenital pathology and indicators of Sertoli cell function in boys conceived by intracytoplasmic sperm injection due to male factor infertility and after conventional in vitro fertilization, as well as to assess the association of anamnestic and reproductive characteristics of fathers with the identified outcomes in their children.
Materials and Methods: The study included 154 boys conceived by ICSI (n = 101) or conventional in vitro fertilization (IVF) (n = 53). Urogenital status and Sertoli cell function were assessed, and the reproductive history of the fathers was analyzed using comparative statistical methods and logistic regression.
Results: Urogenital pathology was more frequently detected in boys conceived by ICSI compared with the IVF group (31.7% vs. 15.1%; adjusted odds ratio = 2.46; p = 0.043), predominantly due to scrotal pathology and hydrocele. No differences were found in inhibin B and anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels. No association was confirmed between paternal sperm parameters and inhibin B and AMH levels in sons.
Conclusion: ICSI due to male factor infertility was associated with a higher frequency of urogenital pathology in boys, predominantly scrotal pathology, with comparable indicators of Sertoli cell function. Prospective studies are needed to clarify the contribution of ICSI and the characteristics of paternal infertility.
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