Intracytoplasmic sperm injection in the treatment of male subfertility

To evaluate the results obtained after intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in couples with male factor subfertility.

Retrospective analysis of results obtained after ICSI in the unit of in vitro fertilisation in a private centre for infertility.

Application of ICSI in treatment cycles for male subfertility resulted in a fertilisation rate of 62%. An embryo transfer was done in 98% of the cycles, resulting in a 24% pregnancy rate/ET or 22% per cycle.

ICSI is the first microfertilisation technique with reproducible high fertilisation rates in different centres and the method of choice in the treatment of severely impaired sperm quality. Although, up to now, no higher incidence of congenital malformations has been reported, except for sex chromosomal anomalies, careful genetic counselling is mandatory because of the risk of transmitting genetically defined male subfertility to the next generation.