Outcome of intracytoplasmic injection of fresh and frozen-thawed testicular spermatozoa. A comparative study.

Objective: To compare the outcomes of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) with fresh and cryopreserved testicular spermatozoa in patients with obstructive and nonobstructive azoospermia.

Study Design: Retrospective analysis.

Results: A total of 60 ICSI treatment cycles (32 fresh, 28 frozen) using testicular sperm obtained by open biopsy were analyzed retrospectively. No statistically significant differences were noted in any of the parameters examined between ICSI cycles from fresh and frozen-thawed testicular spermatozoa. Fertilization rates were 61.9% with fresh vs. 61.7% with frozen-thawed testicular sperm, pregnancy rates per embryo transfer 29.1% vs. 25.0%, respectively, and delivery rates 85.7% vs. 80.0%, respectively.

Conclusion: Intracytoplasmic sperm injection with frozen-thawed testicular spermatozoa permits the obtaining of satisfactory fertilization and pregnancy rates, and the cryopreserved sperm can be used as an effective sperm source in future ICSI cycles.