Question for Ghost

[Corinna]

Hiya Ghost.

I hope you can help me with my question. I'm very worried..

As you probably know, I got a BFN from my first ICSI in June.

My DH has azoospermia but miracle of miracles, he managed to provide enough sperm to fertlise my 7 eggs & we got 6 lovely embies!!

We're about to go for a frozen cycle with our 3 frosties next month...

Anyway, we've been looking at other clinics abroad including clinics in the US, Spain and Russia. On the websites for some of the clinics, they say that their success rates for ICSI using own eggs & sperm is about 55% (or thereabouts) and pregnancy rates for ICSI where sperm has been retrieved surgically (PESA ot TESE, etc) is about 35%.

Now, I never knew that pregnancy rates were lower when sperm has had to be retrieved surgically. I just though that "sperm was sperm" irrespective of how its retrieved. I wouldn't have thought the pregnancy rates were lower! A grade 1 or 2 embie is surely the same as any other embie regardless..

My DH has done some samples since our last ICSI for freezing, but there has been nothing in his samples. My consultant says that the only way forward is SSR/biopsy. (He has a v high FSH count which suggests its testicular failure rather than a blockage)

I am now extremely worried that our chances of a successful pregnancy are even lower.

Why are the pregnancy rates lower for sperm that has been retrieved surgically??

Could you help me. Any advice would be great Ghost!!

A very stressed (as bloody always) Corinna xx

[Ghost]

I did not know the pregnancy rates were any lower with TESE.

Keep in mind there is always donor sperm. Also, you have those 3 "frosties", which gives you a good shot at pregnancy right there.

As a general rule, take clinical claims with a pinch of salt. Or two pinches.

[LCP77]

Hi Corinna! Sorry to be nosy, but your post hit home for me. I feel for you as we are going to have to do ICSI too. We had our first RE appointment yesterday and he stated a 58% success rate for the first IVF/ICSI and up to 94% or better by the 3rd IVF/ICSI cycle. The Dr. said frozen embies have a higher success rate due to the lining being better for implantation. Try not to get discouraged, you have a better chance next time! Good luck!

LCP