Fertility in men with cystic fibrosis: an update on current surgical practices and outcomes.
BACKGROUND
Men with cystic fibrosis (CF) have bilateral absence of the vas deferens causing an obstructive azoospermia that is not amenable to surgical correction. Advances in the field of reproductive medicine allow for the procurement of viable sperm and facilitate fertilization and pregnancy in couples where the man has CF.


OBJECTIVE
To describe patient anatomy and semen characteristics and to determine the pregnancy rates of couples in whom the male partner has CF and who have undergone microsurgical epididymal sperm aspiration coupled with in vitro technology, specifically intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).


METHODS
Retrospective analysis.


METHODS
Clinical department of urology and two reproductive medicine units.


METHODS
Thirteen married men with CF who were referred for infertility.


METHODS
History, physical examination, semen analysis, transrectal and renal ultrasonography, CF mutation analysis, and microsurgical sperm aspiration coupled with ICSI.


RESULTS
All 13 men had low-volume azoospermia, absent vasa, and aplasia/hypoplasia of the seminal vesicles. CF mutation analysis was carried out in 11 of 13 men, and 9 of 11 were DeltaF508 homozygous. Eight men underwent microsurgical sperm aspiration, and their partners underwent one or more cycles of ICSI. Five couples (62.5%) achieved a pregnancy, with four couples delivering (three sets of twins and one singleton).


CONCLUSIONS
CF in men is accompanied by bilateral vasal aplasia. The resultant obstructive azoospermia can be treated quite successfully with a combination of sperm aspiration and ICSI. It is important for physicians involved in the care of men with CF to convey the message that prospects for fatherhood are excellent with current technology.
McCallum
T J
TJ
Department of Urology, and the Center for Human Genetics, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, USA.
Milunsky
J M
JM
Cunningham
D L
DL
Harris
D H
DH
Maher
T A
TA
Oates
R D
RD
D000328:Adult; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000150:complications*; D004822:Epididymis / Q000601:surgery*; D005298:Fertility; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D007267:Injections; D008297:Male; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013094:Spermatozoa; D013396:Suction; D016896:Treatment Outcome