Korean J Reprod Med.  2009 Dec;36(4):301-310.

Comparative Results of Embryo Development and Clinical Pregnancy using Sperm Retrieved from Fresh and Frozen-thawed Testicular Tissue from Patients with Obstructive and Non-obstructive Azoospermia

• Park YS
• Choi SJ
• Lee SH
• Park DW
• Lim CK
• Jun JH
• Koong MK
• Park CW
• Song IO
• Seo JT

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To compare the embryonic development and pregnancy results using sperms retrieved from fresh and frozen-thawed testicular tissue in patients with obstructive (OA) and non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA).
METHODS
A total two hundred twenty-two cycles of TESE-ICSI were performed in OA and NOA. Sperms were retrieved from fresh and frozen-thawed testicular tissue. ICSI was performed patient's own sperm. Fertilization was assessed 16~18 hrs after ICSI. Embryo development and pregnancy rates were analysed.
RESULTS
The fertilization rates were significantly different between OA and NOA patients (75.2% vs. 56.7%, p<0.05), however, embryo development did not differ between the groups (96.9% vs. 98.0%). Likewise, OA and NOA groups had no differences in their clinical pregnancy and delivery rates, 33.9% vs. 36.0% and 28.1% vs. 28.0%, respectively. With regard to sperm retrieved from fresh testicular tissue, fertilization rates were significantly different between the OA and NOA groups (76.4% vs. 52.9%, p<0.05); however, embryo development, clinical pregnancy and delivery rates were not different. For sperm retrieved from thawed testicular tissue, the fertilization rates were significantly different between the two groups (74.7% OA group vs. 65.6% NOA group, p<0.05); however, embryo development, clinical pregnancy and delivery rates were not different.
CONCLUSIONS
Embryo development and clinical pregnancy did not differ in patients with obstructive and non-obstructive azoospermia, whether sperm retrieved from fresh and thawed testicular tissue were used, although the fertilization rates were different. Therefore, ICSI with sperm retrieved from fresh and thawed testicular tissue could achieve relevant clinical pregnancy results in patients with azoospermia.

Keyword

Obstructive azoospermia; Non-obstructive azoospermia; Cryopreservation; Testicular sperm; TESE-ICSI; Embryo development

MeSH Terms

Azoospermia
Cryopreservation
Embryonic Development
Embryonic Structures
Female
Fertilization
Humans
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Rate
Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic
Spermatozoa