ONGOING PREGNANCIES AND BIRTH AFTER INTRACYTOPLASMIC SPERM INJECTION WITH FROZEN-THAWED EPIDIDYMAL SPERMATOZOA

seven patients who did not become pregnant following microsurgical epi didymal sperm aspiration (MESA) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection ( ICSI), a subsequent ICSI was performed using previously cryopreserved supernumerary epididymal spermatozoa, without re-operating on the husb and, During the original MESA procedure a mean sperm concentration of 12.3X10(6)/ml was achieved, The supernumerary spermatozoa were cryopre served for later use, After thawing frozen epididymal spermatozoa a me an concentration of 1.9x10(6) spermatozoa/ml was obtained in straws co ntaining a total volume of sperm suspension of 250 mu l. From 68 intac t oocytes injected with frozen-thawed epididymal spermatozoa, a two pr onuclear fertilization rate of 45% and a cleavage rate of 82% were obt ained. A total of 17 embryos were replaced in the seven patients, resu lting in two ongoing singleton pregnancies and one twin delivery, Six embryos were cryopreserved, In conclusion, it would appear mandatory t o cryopreserve supernumerary spermatozoa during a MESA in order to avo id subsequent further scrotal surgery.