IS THE SUBZONAL-INSEMINATION PROCEDURE AN EFFICIENT TECHNIQUE IN THE TREATMENT OF EXTREME OLIGOASTHENOTERATOZOOSPERMIA

Objectives: The present study evaluates the usefulness of the sub-zona l insemination (SUZI) for patients with previous IVF failures or affec ted by severe oligoasthenoteratozoospermia and the necessity of pre-tr eatment semen analysis. Design: Twenty-five patients underwent 43 cycl es of either SUZI or alternate SUZI/IVF procedures according to semen characteristics. Results: Among the 571 retrieved oocytes, 398 were mi croinjected and 173 were treated by IVF. Among the microinjected oocyt es, 19% fertilized (12% 2PN; 7% 3PN) and 96% of the 2PN oocytes develo ped into embryos. Thirty-one embryo transfers were performed, 8 pregna ncies were obtained and 7 embryos were cryopreserved. The 2 PN rates i n SUZI and IVF procedures in the same cycle were not significantly dif ferent. The analysis of the different semen samples obtained before an d during the treatment reveals that the semen quality varies in such a way that the decision of the adequate microinjection strategy to foll ow should only be taken according to the semen quality at the day of t reatment. Conclusion: SUZI is not a satisfactory technique for treatme nt neither in case of previous IVF failures nor for severe oligoasthen oteratozoospermia.