Objective To analyze the pregnancy outcome of cases who underwent intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) with frozen-thawed sperm, which was rare and weak, cryopreserved by a novel micro-straw (LSL micro-straw). Methods The present study retrospectively analyzed the post-thaw results of cryopreserved human sperm from 83 severe infertility male patients (including oligospermia and asthenospermia). Then we investigated the evolution of embryo development and pregnancy outcome in 23 patients underwent ICSI. Results About 89.5% (94/105) frozen-thawed samples could observe motile sperm in quality control. About 73.9% (17/23) sperm were available in 18 ICSI cycles. The fertilization rate, the cleavage rate, the available embryo rate and the high-quality embryo rate were 78.0%, 92.5%, 62.7% and 78.0%, respectively. The implantation rate, the clinical pregnancy rate and the cumulative live birth rate were 31.1%, 52.5% and 55.6%, respectively. Totally 12 live births were obtained with no birth defects reported. Conclusion LSL micro-straw is a safe and feasible new carrier for cryopreservation of oligospermia and asthenospermia, which can be widely applicated in assisted reproductive technology. Key words: Rare human spermatozoa; Freezing and thawing; Novel micro-straw (LSL micro-straw); Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI); Pregnancy outcomes

Objective To observe the effect of Huangjing Zanyu Capsule (HZC) on sperm mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) in asthenozoospermia patients. METHODS We assigned 70 asthenozoospermia patients to a treatment group (n = 39) and a control group (n = 31), the former treated with oral HZC at the dose of 4 capsules tid for 3 months while the latter left untreated. We obtained semen parameters from the patients and detected their sperm mitochondrial membrane potentials (MMP) by JC-1 staining and flow cytometry before and after medication, followed by comparison between the two groups. RESULTS The total effectiveness rate was 71.05% in the treatment group and natural pregnancy was achieved in 3 cases during the medication. A total of 35 patients in the treatment group and 30 controls completed all the laboratory examinations after a 3-month observation. Compared with the controls, the patients treated with HZC exhibited significant improvement after medication in MMP (variation value: ［1.19 ± 10.36］% vs ［20.28 ± 14.21］%, P <0.01), total sperm motility (variation value: ［3.46 ± 8.67］% vs ［20.68 ± 14.12］%, P <0.01), the percentage of progressively motile sperm (variation value: ［2.26 ± 8.29］% vs ［17.58 ± 12.73］%, P <0.01), and the percentage of morphologically normal sperm (variation value: ［0.23 ± 3.48］% vs ［3.37 ± 3.99］%, P <0.01). MMP was significantly correlated with total sperm motility (r = 0.69, P <0.01), progressive sperm motility (r = 0.75, P <0.01) and normal sperm morphology (r = 0.26, P <0.01). CONCLUSIONS Huangjing Zanyu Capsule can enhance sperm mitochondrial membrane potential and sperm mitochondrial function, thus improving total sperm motility, progressive sperm motility and normal sperm morphology. It is safe and effective for the treatment of asthenospermia.