6533b82efe1ef96bd1292a46

RESEARCH PRODUCT

Fertilization after intracytoplasmic sperm injection with cryopreserved testicular spermatozoa.

subject

description

Objective To assess the possibility of cryopreserving testicular tissue extracted sperm for intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Design A report of two cases. Our study was approved by the Ethical Committee at the Instituto Valenciano de Infertilidad. Setting In vitro fertilization program at the Instituto Valenciano de Infertilidad. Patients Two azoospermic patients with severe spermatogenic failure but with focal spermatogenesis on testicular biopsies. In both cases, a first ICSI attempt with fresh testicular biopsy extracted sperm was unsuccessful. Interventions Cryopreservation of testicular spermatozoa in 100-µL "pills." Intracytoplasmic sperm injection with thawed testicular spermatozoa. Main Outcome Measurements Fertilization rate, cleavage rate, embryo quality, clinical pregnancy. Results Fertilization rates were 36% and 100% after ICSI with fresh testicular spermatozoa, and 63% and 57% after ICSI with cryopreserved testicular sperm. In both cases, cleavage rates and embryo quality were similar when using fresh and cryopreserved testicular spermatozoa. No clinical pregnancies were achieved. Conclusion High fertilization rates can be obtained after ICSI with frozen-thawed testicular tissue extracted spermatozoa. Cryopreservation of testicular sperm may avoid repetition of testicular biopsies in azoospermic patients in whom the only source of spermatozoa is the testicle.