The use of ICSI with fresh and cryopreserved electroejaculates from psychogenic anejaculatory men

BACKGROUND: Electroejaculation has become an accepted form of semen procurement in men suffering from anejaculation. However, sperm in these ejaculates often exhibit low motility. In such cases, ICSI is offered to improve the possibility of successful pregnancy. Here we evaluate the fertilizing potential, using ICSI, of fresh and cryopreserved sperm obtained by transrectal electroejaculation from patients with psychogenic anejaculation. METHODS: A total of 25 men suffering from psychogenic anejaculation underwent 37 sessions of electroejaculation in combination with ICSI. In 17 patients fresh sperm (29 cycles, group I) was used, and in the other eight patients cryopreserved sperm (10 cycles, group II) was used. RESULTS: A total of 155 oocytes were injected with fresh sperm with a fertilization rate of 55% (85/155). The pregnancy rate was 10% (3/29) per cycle. A total of 94 oocytes were injected with frozen–thawed sperm with a fertilization rate of 50% (47/94). The pregnancy rate was 40% (4/10) per cycle. CONCLUSIONS: The fertilization and pregnancy rates with cryopreserved sperm from electroejaculation are at least as good as those of freshly obtained sperm. Therefore, when motile sperm is found in the thawed ejaculate, additional electroejaculation can be avoided.