INTRACYTOPLASMIC SPERM INJECTION - A TREATMENT FOR EXTREME OLIGOSPERMIA

Purpose: We evaluated the efficacy of intracytoplasmic sperm injection in patients with extreme oligospermia. Materials and Methods: A total of 67 intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles was attempted in 58 inf ertile couples in which the husbands had extreme oligospermia (less th an 100,000 spermatozoa per ml. ejaculate). Results: Fertilization was achieved in 65 of 67 cycles. Mean fertilization rate per cycle was 66. 4%. A total of 18 clinical pregnancies was obtained, for a pregnancy r ate of 26.8% per started cycle. There were 4 miscarriages and 8 live b irths from 5 deliveries. Nine pregnancies are ongoing. Conclusions: In tracytoplasmic sperm injection in patients with extreme oligospermia i s associated with high fertilization rates and offers the chance of pr egnancy to these otherwise intractably infertile couples.