Addition of procyanidine to semen preserves progressive sperm motility up to three hours of incubation.

Several studies on semen physiology and sperm fertilizing capacity have shown a beneficial effect of antioxidants. Procyanidine is a natural antioxidant, more efficient compared with vitamin C and E, with many applications in the food, agriculture, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry. Thus, we tested whether the addition of procyanidine to the semen of infertile men has a beneficial effect on spermatozoa during their in vitro incubation and during the cryopreservation process.

Is the time interval between HCG administration and oocyte retrieval associated with oocyte retrieval rate?

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether prolongation of the time interval between HCG administration and oocyte retrieval, from 36 h to 38 h, affects oocyte retrieval rate in women undergoing ovarian stimulation with gonadotrophins and GnRH antagonists for IVF. One hundred and fifty-six normo-ovulatory women were randomized to have oocyte retrieval performed 36 h (n = 78) or 38 h (n = 78) following HCG administration. Oocyte retrieval rate was defined as number of cumulus-oocyte-complex (COC) retrieved/follicle ≥ 11 mm present on day of HCG administration.