Genetic risks of intracytoplasmic sperm injection in the treatment of male infertility: recommendations for genetic counseling and screening.
OBJECTIVE
To review the most clinically significant genetic disorders associated with severe oligospermia and azoospermia in males, and to present recommendations for the genetic counseling and screening of infertile males and their partners before undertaking intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)-assisted reproduction.


METHODS
The literature on genetic disorders associated with severe oligospermia and azoospermia was reviewed, and the most recent outcome data from surveys of ICSI-derived offspring are presented. Studies related to this topic were identified through MEDLINE.


RESULTS
Genetic disorders are not infrequent causes of severe oligospermia and azoospermia in males undergoing ICSI-assisted reproduction. The application of ICSI in the treatment of oligospermic or azoospermic males may result in the transmission or de novo introduction of genetic mutations or chromosomal abnormalities in their offspring. Genetic counseling and appropriate screening of couples with male infertility should be performed before their undertaking ICSI-assisted reproduction.


CONCLUSIONS
An understanding of the genetic risks and possible consequences that are inherent when ICSI is used to assist fertilization in couples with male infertility is necessary for clinicians and their patients.
Johnson
M D
MD
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Harbor-University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA) Medical Center, UCLA School of Medicine, Torrance, USA.
D003593:Cytoplasm; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000379:methods*; D005817:Genetic Counseling; D005820:Genetic Testing; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D008845:Microinjections; D012307:Risk Factors; D013094:Spermatozoa