Introduction: Azoospermia is identified in 15% of infertile men. Surgical approaches combined with assisted reproductive technology (ART) provide options for these couples to conceive. This study examined the effect of serum FSH level, BMI and smoking on TESE-ICSI outcome and pregnancy rates in a retrospective cohort
Aim: to examine the effect of serum FSH level, BMI and smoking on TESE-ICSI and pregnancy outcomes.
Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study, data were extracted from files of 52 azoospermic men who underwent TESE and IVF-ICSI in our IVF unit. Demographic information, treatment cycle follow-up and pregnancy outcomes were assessed.
Results: Fifty-two patients underwent 79 TESE due to azoospermia. There were 143 IVF cycles. Smoking was found to significantly affect sperm motility in TESE specimens before freezing (45.5% vs. 14.8%; P<0.001). However, this did not influence the pregnancy rate. Male FSH was negatively correlated with testicular volume (r = - 0.595, p<0.0001). Weight did not affect semen parameters after TESE or ICSI outcome.
Conclusions: No adverse effects related to male BMI, male FSH and smoking on sperm parameters and pregnancy and delivery rates were found among azoospermic patients with extremely poor sperm quality.