Testicular biopty gun needle biopsy in collecting spermatozoa for intracytoplasmic injection, cryopreservation and histology

Using testicular spermatozoa from either open biopsy (29 cycles) or biopty gun needle biopsy (49 cycles), a total of 81 intracytoplasmic sperm injecti on (ICSI) cycles among 57 couples were carried out from January, 1994 to Se ptember, 1997, In six cycles, no spermatozoa were obtained, and in three cy cles spermatozoa from both needle and open biopsies were used, The fertiliz ation (37% after open and 41% after needle biopsy) and pregnancy rates (29% per embryo transfer compared with 16% per embryo transfer) were similar af ter both open and needle biopsies. Five pregnancies were achieved among the 14 couples,vith non-obstructive azoospermia of the male partner, four of t hese after needle biopsy. It was possible to use cryopreserved testicular s permatozoa after both needle and open biopsies, and one pregnancy started a fter using cryopreserved testicular spermatozoa in both groups. Histologica l needle biopsy was carried out in 62 cases, and they were all diagnostic, giving 15-20 cross-sections of seminiferous tubuli per biopsy. Testicular n eedle biopsy using a 14 gauge biopsy needle gave a sufficient amount of tis sue and spermatozoa for ICSI, cryopreservation and histology, even in nonob structive azoospermia, This technique is simpler and cheaper than open biop sy and, hence, it can be regarded as the optimal method for the retrieval o f testicular spermatozoa.