In Vitro Fertilisation Versus Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection in Patients Without Severe Male Factor Infertility

Over recent decades, the use of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) has increased, even among patients without severe male factor infertility. Despite the increasing use, there is no evidence to support that ICSI results in a higher live birth rate compared to conventional in vitro fertilisation (IVF) in cases without severe male factor infertility. The primary objective of this trial is to determine whether ICSI is superior to standard IVF in patients without severe male factor infertility. The primary outcome measure is live birth rate. A total of 824 participants with infertility without severe male factor will be included in the study and allocated randomly into two groups (IVF or ICSI). The main inclusion criteria for the women are age 18-42 years, normal to slightly decreased male partner sperm/ use of donor sperm and no prior fertility treatment. In addition to live birth rate, outcome measures include fertilisation rate, total fertilisation failure, embryo quality, clinical pregnancy, miscarriage rate, preterm delivery, birth weight and congenital anomalies of the child. The study will be performed in accordance with the ethical principles in the Helsinki Declaration. The study is approved by the Scientific Ethical Committee of the Capital Region of Denmark and the Knowledge Centre on Data Protection Compliance. Study findings will be presented in international conferences and submitted for publication in peer-reviewed journals.