Subzonal sperm insemination and total or extreme asthenozoospermia: an effective technique for an uncommon cause of male infertility.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the value of subzonal insemination (SUZI) in cases of total or extreme asthenozoospermia.


METHODS
The results of IVF after SUZI were assessed in six cycles (four couples) with documented asthenozoospermia.


METHODS
Institut de Médecine de la Reproduction, Marseille, France.


METHODS
Four couples underwent six retrieval cycles. In all cases asthenozoospermia was total (100% of immotile spermatozoa) or extreme (5% nonprogressive motility). Oligozoospermia and teratozoospermia were ruled out in all cases. In two cases electron microscopy revealed the absence of the central singlet in the flagellum axonemal complex and in one case a major dysplasia of the fibrous sheath in the flagellum principal piece.


RESULTS
The overall fertilization rate was 45%. The diploid embryo rate was 33%. Embryo quality was satisfactory. In five of six cycles, three embryos were transferred. Two triplet pregnancies were obtained corresponding to an implantation rate per transferred embryo of 40%.


CONCLUSIONS
Total or extreme asthenozoospermia seems to be a good indication for SUZI.
Terriou
P
P
Institut de Médecine de la Reproduction, Faculté de la Timone, Marseille, France.
Giorgetti
C
C
Hans
E
E
Spach
J L
JL
Salzmann
J
J
Carlon
N
N
Navarro
A
A
Roulier
R
R
D000328:Adult; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D011247:Pregnancy; D013081:Sperm Motility; D013082:Sperm Tail / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000648:ultrastructure; D014310:Triplets