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 frozen-thawed epididymal sperm for intracytoplasmic sperm injection, the authors reviewed the charts on all couples undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm 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 vas deferens or irreparable post-testicular obstruction were studied. The following parameters were measured: (1) fertilization rate per oocyte 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 rates were 51 and 41%, chemical pregnancy rates were 27 and 30%, and clinical pregnancy rates were 19 and 27% in the fresh epididymal compared to the frozen epididymal sperm. This study shows no significant difference in outcomes using fresh or frozen epididymal sperm for intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Frozen-thawed sperm guarantees availability of sperm prior to oocyte retrieval.