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

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.