Received March 02, 1997
Accepted May 17, 1997

Introduction:Obtaining sperms from the testicles for use in the intracytoplasmic sperm injection(ICSI) technique would be the ideal conduct in cases of nonobstructive azoospermia in which lhe gamete cannot be collected from the epididymis. The objective of the present paper was to analyze the results of an ICSI program in these two situations. Material and Methods:A total of 29patients were submitted to sperm collection from the testicles. Nonobstructive azoospermia was the major indication(55.2%), followed by obstructive azoospermia(37.9%) caused by vasectomy or by failure to correct it. Cryptozoospermia was detected in two cases(6.8%). Mean age of the male population was 38.3±9.4years and mean age of the female population was 32.6±5.48years. Ovarian stimulation was performed by 2nd phase ovarian blockade with leuprolide acetate followed by pure FSH. A testicular biopsy was performed in 26collections and aspirative puncture with a 21G to 23Gneedle in 3collections. Results: A total of 29 sperm collections from the testicle and subsequent ICSI were carried out and 8.1±5.6eggs were obtained per patient, 6.62±4.3 of them being in metaphase lI. The normal fertilization rate was 47±30% and the number of transferred embryos was 2.68±1.52per patient. The sperms were obtained in 22 collections(75.8%) and were absent in 7(24.1%). There was total fertilization failure in 2 cycles(6. 8%). The implantation rate was 13.5%, lhe pregnancy rate per puncture was 20.6% and lhe pregnancy rate per embryo transfer was 30%. A total of 4singleton pregnancies and 2multiple pregnancies were observed. Conclusion: The data demonstrate the applicability of the ICSI technique using sperms obtained from the testicles.