Successful delivery derived from vitrified-warmed spermatozoa from a patient with nonobstructive azoospermia

Objective: To report the clinical outcomes following intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) with vitrified sperm from patients with
severe male factor infertility.
Design: Retrospective case series.
Setting: IVF unit of a medical center.
Patient(s): Three patients with severe oligozoospermia or nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA).
Intervention(s): Cryopreservation of limited numbers of spermatozoa with the use of Cryotop and Cell Sleeper as nonbiologic
containers.
Main Outcome Measure(s): Four cycles underwent intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) with vitrified sperm.
Result(s): A total of 148 spermatozoa in 18 containers (8.2 sperm per container) were vitrified and 36 of them (5 containers) were
warmed. Thirty-three sperm (92%) were retrieved successfully and injected individually into 17 mature oocytes. Fertilization was
observed in 12 oocytes (71%), and all zygotes (100%) cleaved. A couple with NOA achieved a singleton pregnancy and concluded
with full-term delivery of a healthy boy (2,632 g).
Conclusion(s): A successful delivery was achieved after transfer of a blastocyst derived from vitrified-warmed spermatozoa. A small
number of vitrified sperm cells were used for ICSI to fertilize oocytes with predictable timing.
(Fertil Steril
2012;98:1423–7. 2012 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.)
Key Words: Severe male factor infertility, live birth, single sperm vitrification, Cryotop, Cell
Sleeper