First reported deliveries in Ireland using surgically retrieved sperm for non-obstructive azoospermia

Couples presenting with male factor infertility comprise an important proportion of clinical reproductive endocrinology consultations. Indeed, a problem with the male is the only cause, or a contributing cause, of infertility in ~40% of infertility evaluations. Here we present the first published deliveries obtained from IVF utilising surgically retrieved sperm in Ireland; pregnancy and delivery are also described following transfer of cryopreserved/thawed embryos derived from such sperm. Finding no sperm from a semen analysis in a man without a vasectomy can be a devastating event, and substantially influences the scope of the reproductive endocrinology consultation. Successful treatment of non-obstructive azoospermia is possible without reliance on anonymous donor sperm.