Effects of the timing of testicular sperm retrieval on intracytoplasmic sperm injection outcomes
- Author:
Tae Ho HWANG
1
;
Jae Kyun PARK
;
Dong Hyuk SHIN
;
Won Hee LEE
;
Ye Eun KIM
;
Yohan HEO
;
Tae Ho LEE
;
Seung-Ryeol LEE
;
Seung-Hun SONG
Author Information
- Publication Type:Original Article
- From:Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine 2026;53(2):115-120
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Objective:This study aimed to evaluate reproductive outcomes according to the timing of testicular sperm retrieval.
Methods:The study included 282 infertile couples divided into three groups: group A (freeze-thawed testicular sperm extraction [TESE] sperm, n=233), group B (fresh TESE sperm collected 1 day before ovum pickup, n=22), and group C (fresh TESE sperm collected on the same day as ovum pickup, n=27). The indications for TESE were surgically uncorrectable azoospermia or ejaculation failure, often accompanied by medical comorbidities such as diabetes mellitus and spinal cord injury. The outcome parameters assessed were fertilization rates, embryo quality, and clinical pregnancy rates.
Results:The mean paternal age was 36.8±5.7 years, and the mean maternal age was 32.6±3.5 years. The mean duration of infertility was 2.9±1.8 years. The fertilization rates were 70.7%, 78.9%, and 73.0% for groups A, B, and C, respectively (p=0.047). The percentages of good-quality embryos were 68.2%, 65.3%, and 48.4%, respectively (p=0.007); specifically, the percentage of good-quality embryos was significantly lower in group C compared with the other two groups. Clinical pregnancy rates per transfer were similar at 51.1%, 50.0%, and 48.1% (p=0.958), with no differences observed in miscarriage rates.
Conclusion:Testicular sperm retrieval can be safely performed 1 day before ovum pickup, resulting in favorable fertility outcomes.
