Timing of testicular sperm retrieval procedures and in vitro fertilization-intracytoplasmic sperm injection outcome.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the outcome of IVF-intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) using testicular spermatozoa obtained on the day of ovum pick-up (OPU) or on the day before OPU.


METHODS
Retrospective study.


METHODS
An IVF clinic in a university hospital.


METHODS
Forty-seven IVF-ICSI cycles using testicular spermatozoa in 28 couples with the male partner suffering from nonobstructive azoospermia.


METHODS
Sperm retrieval was performed either on the OPU day (23 cycles in 19 patients; group A) or on the day before OPU (24 cycles in 15 patients; group B). Testicular sperm aspiration (TESA) was performed and followed by testicular sperm extraction (TESE) if no spermatozoa could be found.


METHODS
The presence of motile spermatozoa at the time of ICSI and fertilization and clinical pregnancy rates.


RESULTS
A similar proportion of motile spermatozoa (60.9% vs. 62.5%), fertilization rate (61.7% vs. 58.9%), and clinical pregnancy rate per transfer (34.8% and 29.2%) were obtained for groups A and B, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Testicular sperm retrieval can be performed on the day before OPU without compromising success. Considerable medical and practical advantages may be offered by further advancement of testicular sperm retrieval procedures to 48 hours before OPU. This approach should thus be further evaluated.
Levran
D
D
IVF Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wolfson Medical Center, Holon, Israel.
Ginath
S
S
Farhi
J
J
Nahum
H
H
Glezerman
M
M
Weissman
A
A
D000328:Adult; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D020554:Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic; D013081:Sperm Motility; D013094:Spermatozoa; D013737:Testis; D020858:Tissue and Organ Harvesting / Q000379:methods*