Assisted reproductive technologies for male factor infertility.

Experience in the diagnosis and treatment of infertility has led to an increased understanding of the prominent role male factors play in many couples' inability to conceive. While many forms of male factor infertility are amenable to treatment, for some patients there is no corrective therapy available. For this reason, a great deal of attention has been focused on developing technologies for semen processing and sperm utilization in cases of decreased semen quality. One area of research is the development of more sophisticated methods of assessing sperm function, as well as methods of sperm preparation. Progress is also being made in the application of technologies such as intrauterine insemination and in vitro fertilization in the treatment of male factor infertility. Such developments have improved prospects for fertility among patients suffering from decreased semen quality, as well as those suffering from such disorders as ejaculatory failure and congenital vasal agenesis. Current research also offers promise for future applications such as gamete micromanipulation. This technology holds potential for improving fertility even among patients suffering from profound male factor disorders. The following is a summary of recent publications pertaining to the application of these assisted reproductive technologies in the management of male factor infertility.