Pregnancies after intracytoplasmic injection of sperm collected by fine needle biopsy of the testis.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the use of intracytoplasmic sperm injection with sperm collected by fine needle biopsy of the testis as a treatment for male genital tract obstruction.


METHODS
Sperm isolated from a fine needle biopsy of the testis were used to inseminate oocytes by intracytoplasmic sperm injection.


METHODS
A hospital-based tertiary referral infertility service.


METHODS
Case studies of two couples in whom the male partner had a genital tract obstruction.


METHODS
Fertilization and pregnancy.


RESULTS
In the first case, 9 oocytes fertilized normally out of 13 injected. After the transfer of fresh (one cycle) and frozen (four cycles) embryos, a single intrauterine fetal heart pregnancy was achieved. In the second case, five oocytes fertilized normally from nine oocytes injected; two embryos were transferred fresh and three were frozen. A single fetal heart intrauterine gestation was obtained after the initial transfer of two fresh embryos.


CONCLUSIONS
A high normal fertilization rate and pregnancies are possible with intracytoplasmic sperm injection using sperm collected directly from the testis. Sperm retrieval by fine needle biopsy offers a viable alternative to microsurgical aspiration and is also suitable for treating patients with intratesticular blockage.
Bourne
H
H
Reproductive Biology Unit, Royal Women's Hospital, Carlton, Victoria, Australia.
Watkins
W
W
Speirs
A
A
Baker
H W
HW
D000328:Adult; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D003593:Cytoplasm; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000628:therapy*; D007267:Injections; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D013094:Spermatozoa; D013737:Testis / Q000473:pathology