Received May 03, 1997
Accepted June 17, 1997

Introduction: The introduction of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) technique in the human reproduction field solved most of male infertility problems. The authors evaluate an ICSI program in the first six months and compare the results with established services. Material and Methods: Seventeen ICSI cycles in 17 couples were analyzed. The indications for the procedure were: severe oligoasthenozoospermia (13), azoospermia caused by deferent agenesia (1), azoospermia due to vasectomy (1) and failed fertilization in previous IVF cycles (2). Ovulatory induction was performed with GnRH-a beginning at medium lutheal phase and then using FSH-HP and hMG. After retrieval, oocytes were identified and classified. Cumulus-corona complex was removed using (or sperm collection and epididimal punction in two cases. The semen was prepared using minipercoll (95%, 70% e 50%). PVP was used for sperm immobilization. A Nikon Diaphot 300 equipment with Hoffman lens and automatic MM 188 and MO 188 micromanipulators were used for the injection. Results: A total of 177 oocytes metaphase II were injected. The normal fertilization rate was 61.0±18.3% with 93.5% of cleavage, 38.9% pregnancy rate per cycle, 16.4% of implantation rate and 42.9% of multiple pregnancies were achieved. Among 7 pregnancies, 6 are ongoing and spontaneous miscarriage resulted in one triplet case. Conclusion: The refinement ofICSI in the last five years associated with progressive improvement of the equipment led to good preliminary results for starting groups.