Severe oligoasthenoteratozoospermias, secretory and obstructive azoospermias: motility as a criterion of sperm viability

J Assist Reprod Genet. 2007 Apr;24(4):125-9. doi: 10.1007/s10815-006-9080-y. Epub 2007 Feb 16.

Abstract

Purpose: Comparison of pregnancy rates in cases of Secretory Azoospermias (SA), Obstructive Azoospermias (OA) and severe Oligoasthenoteratozoospermias (OATZ). Evaluation of sperm motility as a quality criterion.

Methods: In SA cases (n = 35), 9 samples were cryopreserved. In OA cases (epididymal aspiration: n = 91; testicular biopsy: n = 206), all samples were cryopreserved. 596 OATZ ejaculates were included.

Results: In SA cases, 2 pregnancies were achieved from 9 ICSI cycles. In OA, motile sperm rates were higher in testicular biopsies. After thawing sperm motility was not different between testicular and epididymal origin. 2 pregnancies were achieved with immotile testicular sperm after thawing, but none with immotile epididymal sperm. In OATZ cases, one pregnancy was obtained from the 9 cryopreserved ejaculates and 35.3% with fresh motile sperm.

Conclusions: In SA cases, the use of donor sperm is recommended due to the lower pregnancy rate achieved. Motility, before and after cryopreservation, as a criterion of sperm viability is discussed and its use should be reconsidered in some cases.

MeSH terms

  • Azoospermia / pathology
  • Azoospermia / physiopathology*
  • Biopsy
  • Cell Survival
  • Cryopreservation
  • Ejaculation
  • Epididymis / pathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Oligospermia / pathology
  • Oligospermia / physiopathology*
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Outcome
  • Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic
  • Sperm Motility*
  • Spermatozoa / cytology*
  • Testis / pathology