[Male infertility due to azoospermia and in vitro fertilization assisted by ICSI. Findings based on a prospective study of our first 42 patients].
BACKGROUND
Our experience of ICSI began in 1997. This study reviews our four-year experience based on 42 consecutive couples.


METHODS
Between February 1997 and December 2000, 42 sterile couples due to male infertility were treated by ICSI. Surgical exploration and "open" gamete collection were proposed regardless of the predefined type of azoospermia, obstructive or non-obstructive.


RESULTS
Seventy one cycles were performed: ICSI used epididymal spermatozoa in 49 cycles, and testicular spermatozoa in 22 cycles. The fertilization rate was 76% for fresh semen and 87% for frozen semen. The fertilization rate was 88% for epididymal spermatozoa and 68% for testicular spermatozoa. 13 pregnancies were obtained (18.3%), 11 babies were born at term including 3 twin pregnancies. No significant difference was observed between fresh and frozen semen, or between obstructive and non-obstructive azoospermia.


CONCLUSIONS
IVF-ICSI applied to sterility due to male infertility has revolutionized the management of sterile couples. However, as for any new procedure in medicine, we must be vigilant, as a sufficient follow-up is necessary to definitively evaluate the safety of ICSI, especially in terms of the risk of genetic abnormalities.
Service d'Urologie, Hôpital Pasteur, Pavillon A, BP 69, 06002 Nice. urologie@chu-nice
Grégory
G
Garcia
Daniel
D
Chevallier
Michèle
M
Donzeau
Véronique
V
Isnard
Thierry
T
Chevallier
Patrick
P
Fenichel
Jean
J
Amiel
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007248:Infertility, Male; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009845:Oligospermia / Q000628:therapy*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020554:Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic / Q000379:methods*