Testicular sperm extraction with intracytoplasmic sperm injection for nonobstructive azoospermia

Objectives. To provide fertility for men with nonobstructive azoospermia. Methods. A retrospective review of treatment results at a university infertility center was undertaken. Sixteen couples entered an attempted in vitro fertilization (IVF)-intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycle for treatment of nonobstructive azoospermia. Each man was azoospermic, and the male factor diagnosis of nonobstructive azoospermia was made on testis biopsy for 14 men and on clinical grounds for 2 men. Sperm were retrieved by testicular biopsy on the day of oocyte retrieval. Results of testicular examinations, serum follicle-stimulating hormone levels, and testicular histology as well as evaluation of the success rates of sperm retrieval, fertilizations, and pregnancies were made. Results. Sperm were extracted from testis biopsies in 10 of 16 (62%) testicular sperm extraction (TESE) attempts. For cycles in which sperm were retrieved, normal fertilizations were achieved for 51 of 98 (52%) mature oocytes injected with testicular sperm in 10 couples. Biochemical pregnancies were achieved for 6 of 16 (38%) couples, with clinical pregnancies during 5 of 16 (31%) attempts at sperm retrieval, and ongoing pregnancy and subsequent live delivery for 4 of 16 (25%) attempts. Conclusions. Pretreatment clinical parameters are unable to predict which men with nonobstructive azoospermia will have spermatozoa retrieved by TESE. When sperm are found, clinical pregnancies can occur for half (5/10) of these couples using TESE with ICSI, with ongoing pregnancy and delivery for 4 of 10 (40%). Many men with nonobstructive azoospermia will have retrievable sperm with testis biopsy that are suitable for ICSI; however, 6 of 16 (38%) couples will not have sperm retrieved with TESE and may undergo an unnecessary IVF procedure. (C) 1997, Elsevier Science Inc.