Embryological and clinical outcomes in couples with severe male factor infertility versus normozoospermia

•The cumulative live birth rate after ICSI was similar in couples with severe male factor infertility or normozoospermia.•The number of good-quality embryos did not differ significantly between severe male factor infertility and normozoospermic male.•Transfer of cleavage-stage embryo(s) was a significant (negative) predictor of cumulative live birth. This study evaluated embryological and clinical outcomes in couples with severe male factor infertility versus those with normozoospermia undergoing ICSI and in vitro fertilisation. This multicentre, retrospective cohort study included all couples who had undergone autologous ICSI cycles at My Duc Hospital and My Duc Phu Nhuan Hospital in Vietnam between January 2018 and January 2021 (female age