Factors associated with the quality before freezing and after thawing of sperm obtained by microsurgical epididymal aspiration.
OBJECTIVE
To identify whether the cause, site of ductal obstruction, and characteristics of fluid aspirates are associated with the cryosurvival and fertility after thawing of sperm obtained during reconstruction of the excurrent ducts with microsurgical epididymal sperm aspiration, vasal sperm aspiration, or both.


METHODS
Prospective study.


METHODS
Andrology center at a tertiary care institution.


METHODS
Men undergoing reconstruction of the excurrent duct and sperm aspiration (n = 42) or microsurgical epididymal sperm aspiration (n = 11).


METHODS
Sperm were tested for an association with the cause and site of obstruction. Fertilization and pregnancy rates after sperm aspiration and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) were evaluated for fresh and frozen aspirates.


METHODS
Motile sperm count and percentage motility after thawing.


RESULTS
The motile sperm count before freezing was significantly higher in the caput epididymis than in the corpus. The motile sperm count before freezing was related inversely to the distance from the caput where the sperm were aspirated. Sperm from clear and opaque fluid aspirates had better percent motility than those from cloudy and creamy fluid aspirates. High fertilization and pregnancy rates were achieved using both fresh and frozen epididymal sperm.


CONCLUSIONS
None of the factors studied was associated with cryosurvival of aspirated epididymal or vasal spermatozoa. Because motility is low after thawing, these specimens are best used with ICSI.
Sharma
R K
RK
Department of Urology, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Ohio 44195, USA.
Padron
O F
OF
Thomas
A J
AJ
Agarwal
A
A
D000328:Adult; D003593:Cytoplasm; D004822:Epididymis / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005306:Fertilization; D005615:Freezing; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008488:Medical Illustration; D008845:Microinjections; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000379:methods*; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013076:Sperm Count; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000502:physiology; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000502:physiology*; D013396:Suction