Received March 02, 1997
Accepted May 17, 1997

Introduction:Sperm collection form the epididymis followed by application ofthe technique of intracytoplasmic sperm injection(lCSI) is an efficient solution for cases of obstructive azoospermia. We report here on the results obtained with this technique at our unit. Material and Methods:A total of 25patients with obstructive azoospermia (congenital agenesis of the vas deferens, obstruction due to infection, vasectomy or lack of success after correction, etc.) and others causes (retrograde ejaculation, problems to collect the sperm sample) were submitted to an ICSI program together with their wives using sperm col/ected from the epididymis. The age of the male population was 38±7.9 years, and the age of the female population 30.2±5.4years. Ovarian stimulation was performed by 2nd phase ovarian blockade with leuprolide acetate followed by pure FSH(Metrodin-HP, Serono). Sperms were collected from the epididymis by the microsurgical aspiration technique(MESA) in 3 cycles and by aspira tive needle puncture(PESA) in 25 cycles. Sperms were collected in all procedures. Results:A total of 248 oocytes were collected, 207 of them in metaphase 11(83.4%). Mean oocyte number was 8.86±5.7, the rate of normal fertilization was 63.8±28, and the mean number of embryos transferred was 2.93±1.1. Total failure of fertilization occurred in two cycles(7%). The pregnancy rate per puncture was 42.8% and the pregnancy rate per transfer was 46%. Seven singleton pregnancies and 5 multiple pregnancies were observed. A total of 13 patients froze samples for future procedures. Conclusion:Sperm collection from the epididymis followed by ICSI was an efficient method for the solution of cases of infertility due to obstructive azoospermia.