Sperm retrieval, fertilization, and pregnancy outcome in repeated testicular sperm aspiration

PURPOSE: To report the outcome of sperm retrieval and results after ICSI in up to six repeated testicular sperm aspiration procedures. METHODS: Twenty-two men with obstructive and thirty-four men with nonobstructive azoospermia underwent 50 and 91 needle aspirations, respectively. Sufficiency of spermatozoa for ICSI and cryopreservation, fertilization rate, and pregnancy outcome was analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: No major differences were found in sperm recovery or pregnancy outcome in the repeated cycles. Testicular aspirate containing motile spermatozoa with maintained fertilizing capacity was obtained in up to six repeated procedures in the nonobstructive group. No postoperative complications were reported for any of the participants. CONCLUSIONS: Testicular sperm aspiration is a simple and effective method of sperm retrieval, which can be performed from the same testis up to several times with good recovery of motile spermatozoa for ICSI and maintaining high fertilization and pregnancy rates, in men with both obstructive and nonobstructive azoospermia.