Failed IVF

[GrinAndTonic]

We just finished our second cycle and for the second time have had a total fertilisation failure.
Cycle 1- 2 eggs, fresh sperm, ICSI by choice due to few eggs.
Cycle 2 - 4 eggs, frozen sperm, ICSI due to sperm not defrosting well.
The failure rate for ICSI is 1-3% and it's happened twice now.
His sperm is fine. They never said anything about my eggs.
Any ideas as what to do next?

[MakeItACider]

A friend of mine (in the medical profession - so always does her research thoroughly before she tries anything) has just had a natural pregnancy after taking coenzyme Q10. This is after several failed IVF treatments and miscarriages - her eggs were the problem.

Worth a shot?

[ZippyBopit]

Hi Grin, after 6 years ttc and 2 ivf's with zero fertilisation my dh's sperm has been diagnosed as missing a protein called 'PLC zeta' which is necessary for fertilisation. It's not tested for as part of the routine NHS sperm tests so we were unaware.

Our clinic has a research department and after the 2nd fertilisation failure my dh was invited to participate in a study where this and a few other additional things were tested for (not sure what they were).

ICSI doesn't fix the absence of this protein. As I understand it PLC zeta is responsible for 'activating' the egg. To get round the problem they use ICSI in combination with 'artificial oocyte activation' (Put egg in calcium solution after ICSI - that's my layman's understanding anyway).
Worth asking about?

[GrinAndTonic]

That sounds interesting. I'll ask the clinic about it.
I've ordered CoQ10, DHEA, melatonin and l-arginine so I'll see if that helps.

[Naty1]

We always had low fertilisation
Ivf#1 1-2 of 7
Ivf #2 2 out of 4
Ivf #3 5 of 12
And some of those were late fertilising so like a day behind
I have pcos and hypothyroidism and dp very low count. But we never got an explanation of why it was so low.

I think from reading total failure is more common with fewer eggs.
Why were frozen sperm used on #2?
I found only my largest follicles eggs fertilised so like 18mm plus at trigger.
So i would look at what size follicles were at trigger.
Sometimes a different protocol might help

[GrinAndTonic]

I have no reason for the infertility. No endo, pcos etc. DH has no sperm issues.
DH couldn't get to the clinc for a fresh sample due to work and distance so we did a frozen one.
Follicles have all been a good size if I recall, I can't remember exactly but two days before EPU they were 14mm or so.
We did a different protocol this time around (175 gonal f up from 125) but only got two extra eggs.