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. 2004 Nov;21(11):401–407. doi: 10.1007/s10815-004-7528-5

Frozen Embryos Generated from Surgically Retrieved Sperm from Azoospermic Men: Are They Clinically Viable?

James D M Nicopoullos 1,✉, Jonathan W A Ramsay 2, Carole Gilling-Smith 1, Paula A Almeida 1
PMCID: PMC3455860  PMID: 15672953

Abstract

Purpose: To assess the viability of frozen-thawed embryos derived from intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in azoospermic men.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of 154 consecutive ICSI cycles using surgically retrieved sperm from azoospermic men and case-control comparison of subsequent frozen transfer cycles with those using embryos generated from ejaculated sperm.

Results: Patient and fresh cycle characteristics were similar in both groups. There were no differences between the two groups in the proportion of pronucleate (54% and 62%), and cleavage-stage embryos thawed (46% and 38%), post-thaw survival rates (retrievals: 69%; ejaculated: 73%) or quality of frozen embryos subsequently transferred. Implantation was significantly lower in frozen cycles where embryos were generated from surgically retrieved sperm (0% versus 11.5%; p=0.03). Both clinical pregnancy rate (5% versus 21%) and livebirth rate (0% versus 21%) were lower in this group, but only the difference in LBR reached borderline statistical difference (p=0.10).

Conclusion: This small series demonstrates a significant impairment in implantation in FET cycles using embryos generated from surgically retrieved sperm and a trend towards a poorer pregnancy outcome.

Keywords: Azoospermia, cryopreservation, frozen embryo cycles, ICSI, surgical sperm retrieval

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