Experience with vasal sperm aspiration.

PURPOSE

We describe our experience with vasal aspiration of sperm in patients with azoospermia secondary to neurogenic anejaculation or obstruction of the vas deferens.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We performed 15 vasal sperm aspirations on 11 patients with neurogenic anejaculation or vasal obstruction.

RESULTS

Adequate sperm was obtained from all 15 aspirations with an average sperm count of 42 x 10[6] (range 0.5 to 252 x 10[6]) and an average motility of 73.4% (range 16 to 100%). Aspirations were performed for use with assisted reproductive techniques in 12 cases and for cryopreservation alone in 3. Following assisted reproductive techniques 6 of the 12 aspirations (50%) resulted in pregnancy.

CONCLUSIONS

Vasal aspiration of sperm should be considered when electroejaculation fails, is not available or is contraindicated. Although the overall sperm quality and pregnancy rate are higher with vasal aspiration and in vitro fertilization than electroejaculation and intrauterine insemination, vasal aspiration is a more technically demanding and costly approach to conception.