Azoospermia Treatment the absence of sperm in a man’s semen is one of the most challenging forms of male infertility. For many couples, the diagnosis can feel like a dead end. However, with modern reproductive medicine, particularly Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI), fathering a biological child is often still possible.
Understanding Azoospermia and Its Types
Before looking at success rates, it’s important to understand the condition:
- Obstructive Azoospermia – Sperm production is normal, but a blockage in the reproductive tract prevents sperm from reaching the ejaculate.
- Non-Obstructive Azoospermia – The testicles produce little or no sperm due to hormonal, genetic, or testicular issues.
This distinction matters because the type of azoospermia directly impacts ICSI success.
How ICSI Works for Azoospermia
ICSI involves selecting a single healthy sperm and injecting it directly into an egg to achieve fertilization. In azoospermia cases, sperm must first be retrieved surgically using techniques such as:
- PESA (Percutaneous Epididymal Sperm Aspiration) – For obstructive cases, retrieves sperm from the epididymis.
- TESA (Testicular Sperm Aspiration) – Extracts sperm directly from testicular tissue.
- Micro-TESE (Microsurgical Testicular Sperm Extraction) – Microsurgery to find small pockets of sperm in non-obstructive cases.
Success Rates of ICSI with Azoospermia
- Obstructive Azoospermia: ICSI success rates are generally comparable to those of couples without azoospermia, often exceeding 50–60% fertilization rates when good-quality eggs are available.
- Non-Obstructive Azoospermia: Success depends on whether sperm can be found. Micro-TESE can retrieve sperm in up to 50–60% of cases, and when found, fertilization rates with ICSI can still be promising.
- Other Factors: Female partner’s age, egg quality, and overall reproductive health significantly influence final pregnancy outcomes.
Factors That Influence Success
- Type of azoospermia and sperm retrieval method used
- Quality of retrieved sperm (motility, morphology)
- Embryo development in the lab
- Uterine health for implantation
Conclusion
ICSI can be highly successful for azoospermia patients, particularly when sperm retrieval is possible. For men with obstructive azoospermia, outcomes are often excellent. Even in non-obstructive cases, advances like micro-TESE have given many couples the chance to conceive. The key to success lies in accurate diagnosis, expert surgical techniques, and personalized fertility care.
For More Details: https://acimc.org/ivf-lahore/
