FRESH AND FROZEN EPIDIDYMAL SPERM YIELD COMPARABLE PREGNANCY RATES FOR INTRACYTOPLASMIC SPERM INJECTION

To determine if the use of fresh epididymal sperm is superior to froze n-thawed epididymal sperm for intracytoplasmic sperm injection, the au thors reviewed the charts on all couples undergoing intracytoplasmic s perm injection at an academic center, using microsurgically aspirated epididymal sperm. Forty-nine couples undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection for male factor infertility, due to congenital absence of v as deferens or irreparable post-testicular obstruction were studied. T he following parameters were measured: (1) fertilization rate per oocy te injected (two pronuclei at 24 h), (2) chemical pregnancy rate (two consecutively elevated serum b-hCG levels, and (3) clinical pregnancy rate (sonographic identification of fetal heart rate). Fertilization r ates were 51 and 41%, chemical pregnancy rates were 27 and 30%, and cl inical pregnancy rates were 19 and 27% in the fresh epididymal compare d to the frozen epididymal sperm. This study shows no significant diff erence in outcomes using fresh or frozen epididymal sperm for intracyt oplasmic sperm injection. Frozen-thawed sperm guarantees availability of sperm prior to oocyte retrieval.