A live birth from intracytoplasmic injection of a testicular spermatozoon

Testicular sperm was retrieved from a man with complete epididymal obstruction, and intracytoplasmic sperm injection was performed on his wife's oocytes. In four mature treated, two fertilized eggs were obtained, and a clinical pregnancy was established with embryo transfers. One healthy girl (2715 g) was delivered by cesarean section at 38 weeks' gestation. Our case shows that the use of testicular sperm can result in a normal live birth.

[Quantitative evaluation of regional pulmonary functions after lung resection using three-dimensional images of ventilation and perfusion SPECT]

To evaluate changes after Lobectomy in the regional functions of the remaining lung and of the unaffected lung, three-dimensional (3-D) images of lung ventilation and perfusion SPECT were studied. In 60 patients who underwent lung resection, ventilation (99m Tc-phytate aerosol inhalation) and perfusion (99m Tc-MAA) SPECT were performed before and one month after operation. 3-D images were obtained from SPECT by the volume-rendering method setting thresholds at three levels, and the 3-D functional capacity of the right and left lung was determined at a threshold of 25%. Changes were evaluated using the ratio of the value obtained after operation to the one obtained before operation. The remaining rate of perfusion in the remaining lung was 0.58 +/- 0.22 after the right upper lobectomy, 0.32 +/- 0.04 after the right upper & middle bilobectomy, 0.86 +/- 0.11 after the right middle lobectomy, 0.55 +/- 0.17 after the right lower lobectomy, 0.24 +/- 0.18 after the left upper lobectomy, 0.46 +/- 0.05 after the left lower lobectomy, and 0 after the left pneumonectomy. The remaining rate was significantly low in the right upper & middle bilobectomy and the left upper lobectomy. The large decrease in the rate in these operations was considered to have resulted from a shift of the remaining lung towards the head and excessive expansion of the remaining lung. The distribution of the aerosol inhalation decreased more significantly than that of perfusion in almost all patients. The remaining rate of ventilation of the remaining lung after the lower lobectomy was lower than that after the upper lobectomy. This may have been due to the characteristics of the aerosol practices. We found that changes in the regional functions of the lung after lung resection can be topographically and quantitatively evaluated by 3-D image processing of pulmonary ventilation and perfusion SPECT, such analysis is usefulness in evaluation of function preservation operation.

Cloning, sequencing, and expression of Arthrobacter protophormiae endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase in Escherichia coli

The gene encoding endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase from Arthrobacter protophormiae (Endo-A) was cloned, and its nucleotide sequence was determined. A single open reading frame consisting of 1935 base pairs and encoding a polypeptide composed of signal peptides of 24 amino acids and a mature protein of 621 amino acids was found. The primary structure of Endo-A exhibited significant homology with FO1F.10 gene product from Caenorhabditis elegans and weak homology with peptide-N4-(N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminyl)asparagine amidase from Flavobacterium meningosepticum and chitinase from Streptomyces olivaceoviridis. However, the enzyme had no significant homology with any previously reported endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidases. Transformed Escherichia coli cells carrying the 4.5-kb fragment expressed Endo-A activity. This enzyme activity was detected in the medium as well as in the periplasmic space of cells under the control of the Endo-A gene promoter. The recombinant Endo-A was efficiently isolated from the periplasmic space of the cells. N-terminal sequence analysis revealed that native and recombinant Endo-A have the same N-terminus. Recombinant and native Endo-A also showed very similar optimum pH profiles and transglycosylation activity.

Intravenous injection of sonicated blood induces pulmonary microthromboembolism in rabbits with ligation of the splenic artery

Pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) is found in long hospitalized patients. Chronic PTE has been reported to play an important role in cardiac failure in thalassemic patients after splenectomy. However, the mechanism of PTE in these patients remains unclear. In this study, we attempted to establish an animal model of PTE. We divided New Zealand white rabbits into three groups: Group I was injected sonicated blood, II was injected non-sonicated blood after ligation of the splenic artery, and III was injected sonicated blood after ligation of the splenic artery. After injection of the sonicated blood, we examined the platelet counts every 10 minutes until 1 hour and the rabbits were sacrificed for histological examination. Platelets significantly decreased in number immediately after the injection of sonicated blood in Groups I and III. Many pulmonary thromboemboli composed mainly of platelets were found in Group III but not in other groups. These pathological changes seem to be partly similar to those of thalassemic patients after splenectomy. This animal model is thought to be useful to study the pathogenesis of pulmonary thromboembolism, especially in thalassemic patients after splenectomy.

Role of nitric oxide in mucosal blood flow response and the healing of HCl-induced lesions in the rat stomach

The role of nitric oxide (NO) in the gastric mucosal blood flow response and the healing of HCl-induced gastric lesions was investigated in rats. After 18 h fasting rats were given 0.6 N HCl p.o. for the induction of gastric lesions, and 1 h later they were fed normally. After induction of gastric lesions, they were repeatedly administered the NO synthase inhibitors NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME 5-20 mg/kg p.o. twice daily) or aminoguanidine (20 mg/kg s.c. once daily) for 7 days. Gastric lesions caused by HCl healed almost completely within 5 days with granulation and to an extent with re-epithelialization. Repeated administration of L-NAME but not aminoguanidine significantly delayed the healing of gastric lesions in a dose-dependent manner. The damaged mucosa secreted less acid, but showed a marked rise in H+ permeability, resulting in luminal acid loss accompanied by an increase of mucosal blood flow. Aminoguanidine did not significantly affect any of these functional changes observed in the stomach after damage by HCl, whereas L-NAME treatment slightly reversed the decreased acid response, increased the luminal H+ loss, and totally inhibited the mucosal hyperemic response associated with luminal acid loss in the damaged mucosa. In addition, the deleterious influences of L-NAME on the mucosal blood flow response and the healing of gastric lesions were significantly antagonized by co-administration of L-arginine but not of D-arginine (500 mg/kg x 2, i.p.). Luminal output of NO2-/NO3- was significantly increased in pylorus-ligated stomachs in control rats on days 3 and 5 after damage, and such increases in gastric NO output were completely attenuated by L-NAME treatment. These results suggest that endogenous NO may contribute to the healing of acute gastric injury by mediating the mucosal hyperemic responses associated with acid back-diffusion and by facilitating acid disposal in the damaged mucosa. NO mediating such responses and participating in the healing aspect of gastric lesions may be produced by the constitutive type of NO synthase.

Modulation of E-cadherin expression in TPA-induced cell motility: well-differentiated human adenocarcinoma cells move as coherent sheets associated with phosphorylation of E-cadherin-catenin complex

We previously presented a two-dimensional cell motility assay using L-10, a highly metastatic variant of the human rectal adenocarcinoma cell line RCM-1, as a motility model of tumor cells of epithelial origin. In this model, L-10 cells moved outward from the cell islands mainly as a localized coherent sheet of cells when stimulated with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA). Electronmicroscopic study of the migrating cell sheets revealed that wide intercellular gaps had developed at the lower portion of the cells, allowing them to extend leading lamellae, whereas close cell-cell contacts remained at the upper portion of the cells. In the present study, the mechanism involved in this localized modulation of cell-cell adhesion at the lower portion of the cells was investigated with special reference to E-cadherin expression. E-cadherin immunostaining, which was demonstrated using an anti-E-cadherin mAb, HECD-1, was decreased in migrating L-10 cell sheets. Apparently, however, E-cadherin was involved in the sheet formation of migrating cells because simultaneous or sequential treatment with TPA and HECD-1 inhibited sheet formation and caused scattering of migrating cells. With immunoelectron microscopic study, E-cadherin immunoreactivity was confined to the upper portion of migrating cells and lost at the lower portion. The level of E-cadherin and alpha-catenin expression was not altered by TPA treatment, although tyrosine phosphorylation of E-cadherin and catenins increased 1.6- to 1.9-fold. We propose that cells are released from cell-cell adhesion only at the lower portion of the cells via phosphorylation of the E-cadherin-catenin complex when stimulated with TPA. This change allows the cells to extend leading lamella and thus move together as coherent sheets (cohort migration).

Nitric oxide-dependent and -independent norepinephrine release in rat mesenteric arteries

The role of nitric oxide (NO) in endogenous norepinephrine (NE) release in the perfused isolated rat mesenteric vasculature was examined. NE overflow elicited by electrical field stimulation (EFS) at various frequencies was significantly smaller at 24 than at 37 degrees C. The pressor response upon EFS at 8 and 10 Hz, however, was higher at 24 than at 37 degrees C. When production of NO was blocked by N omega-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA), NE overflow upon EFS at each frequency of stimulation was diminished by 50% at 37 degrees C but remained unchanged at 24 degrees C, whereas the pressor response elicited by EFS became greater at 37 than at 24 degrees C. These effects of L-NNA were reversed by L-arginine, but not by its D-enantiomer. Sodium nitroprusside, an NO donor, increased EFS-elicited NE overflow at 24 degrees C but had no effect at 37 degrees C. These results demonstrate that NE release is NO dependent and NO independent. The NO-dependent mechanism is more sensitive to cooling than the NO-independent mechanism. The increase in EFS-elicited perfusion pressure at 24 degrees C may be due to reduction in synthesis of NO (a potent vasodilator), thus unmasking the effect of NE and other noncatecholamine vasoconstrictors.

Epididymal sperm retrieval by epididymal micropuncture combined with intracytoplasmic sperm injection: difference between acquired and congenital irreparable obstructive azoospermia

To evaluate the differences in fertilization and pregnancy rates following intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) of retrieved epididymal sperm between congenital (group 1) and acquired (group 2) unreconstructable obstructive azoospermic patients, we compared the outcome of the ICSI procedure between these two groups. Thirty-six patients with obstructive azoospermia received epididymal sperm retrieval by the micropuncture method for the ICSI procedure. Main parameters evaluated were epididymal fluid volume, sperm concentration, sperm-motility; fertilization rate and clinical pregnancy rate. There were no significant differences in epididymal fluid and sperm concentration between the two groups. However, the sperm motility in group 1 was significantly higher than that in group 2. The fertilization rates per couple in groups 1 and 2 were 78.2 and 82% (nonsignificant). The pregnancy rate per couple in group 1 was 37.5% (6/16), while that in group 2 was only 5% (1/20); this difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Using epididymal sperm for the ICSI procedure, the chances of pregnancy for couples with congenital absence of the vas deferens were significantly higher compared with couples with acquired unreconstructable obstructive male infertility.

Effects of 17beta-estradiol and progesterone on the adhesion of human monocytic THP-1 cells to human female endothelial cells exposed to minimally oxidized LDL

It is known that hormone replacement therapy inhibits the progression of atherosclerosis in postmenopausal women. Focal attachment of monocytes to endothelial cells is observed in early atherosclerotic lesions. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of 17beta-estradiol (E2) and progesterone on the adhesion of human monocytic THP-1 cells to human female aortic endothelial cells (HAECs) in vitro. Minimally oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL) significantly increased THP-1 cell adhesion to HAECs as compared with native LDL at the same concentration. Though E2 inhibited minimally oxidized LDL-induced THP-1 cell adhesion in a dose-dependent manner, progesterone had no significant effects. Preincubation of HAECs with tamoxifen significantly antagonized the inhibitory effect of E2. These findings suggest a beneficial effect of hormone replacement therapy on atherosclerosis.

Direct effects of estradiol and tamoxifen on gene expressions of inhibit alpha- and beta A-subunits in rat granulosa cells in vitro

To analyze direct effects of estrogen on gene expressions of inhibin subunits in vitro, the mRNA levels of inhibin alpha- and beta A-subunits were measured in rat granulosa cells cultured with FSH or estradiol. Through the culture process of the granulosa cells with serum-free medium, both the alpha- and beta A subunit mRNAs decreased, and were partially increased again by adding FSH to the culture medium. To examine whether these FSH effects are mediated via estrogen production, estradiol or tamoxifen was added to the cultured granulosa cells. After 36-h culture with estradiol, the inhibin alpha-subunit decreased but the inhibin beta A-subunit increased, in a dose-responsive manner. Tamoxifen showed completely opposite effects to estradiol, and a combination of estradiol and tamoxifen resulted in similar levels of inhibin-alpha and -beta A mRNAs to the control. These results indicate that estrogen would by a certain pathway affect gene expressions of the inhibin subunits in the rat granulosa cells, and may regulate the production of inhibin and activin through the paracrine system.

Changes in gastric HCO-3 secretory response to NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester in rats following repeated administration

The effect of repeated administration of the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) on gastric HCO-3 secretion was examined using ex vivo chambered stomachs of anaesthetized rats. Intravenous administration of L-NAME (5 mg/kg) increased gastric HCO-3 secretion with a concomitant rise in arterial blood pressure (BP). The HCO-3 stimulatory action of L-NAME diminished when rats were pretreated with L-NAME (20 mg/kg, p.o., twice daily) for 1 or 3 days and an inverse relationship was found between the degree of secretory stimulation and the period of pretreatment. The increased BP response to L-NAME was also significantly lessened following repeated pretreatment; basal BP showed a stepwise increase during repeated pretreatment and did not change at all in response to i.v. L-NAME after 3 days pretreatment. When delta HCO-3 output induced by i.v. L-NAME was plotted against delta BP (from basal values) during repeated pretreatment with L-NAME, a significant relationship was found between these two factors. The reduction in the HCO3 secretory response to L-NAME was restored when animals were pretreated with L-arginine (500 mg/kg, i.p., twice daily) together with L-NAME. However, prostaglandin E2 (300 micrograms/kg, i.v.) caused a gastric HCO-3 secretory response similar to L-NAME, regardless of whether rats had been pretreated with L-NAME or not. In contrast, the attenuation by L-NAME of the acid (0.2 nmol/L HCl)-induced gastric hyperaemic response was not influenced by repeated pretreatment with L-NAME. We conclude that repeated p.o. pretreatment with L-NAME reduces the HCO-3 stimulatory action of i.v. L-NAME and that this phenomenon may be explained by the lack of further elevation of BP in response to i.v. L-NAME following repeated pretreatment with this agent. Thus, the stimulation of HCO-3 secretion by i.v. L-NAME may be causally related with increased BP in response to this agent.

What influences social skills in patients with schizophrenia? Preliminary study using the role play test, WAIS-R and event-related potential

Persons with schizophrenia exhibit disabilities which profoundly affect their social and independent living skills, and social skills training is expected to be an effective treatment for reducing the level of severity of disabilities. Many factors may influence usage and learning of social skills; little is definitively known regarding which disabilities related to schizophrenia compromise social skills. The present report deals with factors affecting social skills. Twenty persons with schizophrenia (DSM-III-R) were tested using a Japanese version of the role play test, the reliability and validity of which were verified. Subjects were also tested using BPRS, auditory event-related potential (ERP) and WAIS-R. Nonverbal skills showed significant positive correlation with the amplitude of the N1 ERP component and age of onset, and 59% of the variance of nonverbal skills was accounted for by these factors using multiple regression analysis. Nonverbal skills are at least partially based on either automatic discriminating processes or selective attention, reflected in N1A. Information receiving and processing skills showed significant positive correlation with Performance IQ and Global Assessment of Functioning, and 61% of the variance of receiving and processing skills was accounted for by BPRS score, PIQ score and age. These skills are not directly related to elementary cognitive function as assessed by analyzing, for example, the ERP P3 component, but are based on more complex neuropsychological function.

A comparison of epidermal growth factor receptor levels and other prognostic parameters in non-small cell lung cancer

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) was measured using a competitive radioligand binding assay in membrane preparations from 74 primary human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tissues and 20 pathologically normal peripheral lung tissues. The mean EGFR level in tumours was 30.38 fmol/mg (+/-41.95 S.D.) of membrane protein (mg.p), significantly higher (P = 0.00016) than in normal tissues (mean, 10.26 +/- 10.02 fmol/mg.p). The mean EGFR concentration was also significantly higher in pathological stage IV tissue than in stages I (P = 0.049) and II (P = 0.040), and the mean EGFR concentration was significantly higher in cases with mediastinal involvement than in cases without it (P = 0.029). The mean EGFR level was higher in DNA aneuploid and multiploid cases than in DNA diploid cases, but there was no significant difference. No significant relationships were found to exist between receptor concentrations and pathological tumour size or histological type, or patient gender or age. From the above findings, a possible prognostic role for EGFR in primary NSCLC should be investigated.

Successful glucocorticoid treatment for patients with abnormal autoimmunity on in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer

PURPOSE

To analyze the effects of glucocorticoid treatment for patients with abnormal autoimmunity on IVF-ET outcomes, low-dose predonisolone or dexamethasone was administered in 51 IVF-ET cycles of 41 patients with positive antinuclear antibody (ANA), anti-DNA antibody, and/or lupus anticoagulant (LAC). Rates of clinical pregnancy and implantation in these patients were compared with those in 48 cycles without corticosteroid therapy. Autoantibody-negative patients were also treated with IVF-ET combined with (29 cycles) or without (57 cycles) glucocorticoid administration, and the pregnancy and implantation rates were investigated.

RESULTS

Without glucocorticoid treatment, the pregnancy rate per cycle and implantation rate per embryo in antibody-positive patients were 10.4 and 3.8%, respectively. Significant increases in pregnancy (35.3%) and implantation (13.2%) rates were observed with corticosteroid treatment. In antibody-negative patients, the rates of pregnancy and implantation showed no significant differences with versus without the glucocorticoid administration.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicate that because autoimmune abnormalities may be at least one cause of implantation failure following IVF-ET, the combined use of low-dose corticosteroid can be effective for autoantibody-positive women.

Expanded free scalp flap

Expansion of a large free scalp flap before transfer can allow direct closure of the flap donor site, thereby avoiding the need for a skin graft or local flap to close the donor site. A case is presented of anterior scalp reconstruction with an expanded posterior scalp free flap.

Effect of pyridone carboxylic acid anti-microbials on the generation of reactive oxygen species in vitro

The effects of ofloxacin, ciprofloxacin and balofloxacin on the reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels generated by human neutrophils was examined in vitro; ROS generated in a cell-free, xanthine-xanthine oxidase system was also assessed. The species investigated were superoxide radical anion (O2-), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and hydroxyl radical (OH*). Both ofloxacin and ciprofloxacin markedly decreased the levels of O2-, H2O2 and OH* generated by human neutrophils. On the other hand, these drugs did not affect any of the ROS examined in the xanthine-xanthine oxidase system. Balofloxacin showed no significant effect on ROS generated by either system. The present study indicates that ofloxacin and ciprofloxacin may exert an anti-inflammatory action by reducing the potent ROS species excessively generated by neutrophils at the sites of inflammation.

Stimulation of acid secretion in rat stomach following exposure to taurocholate in the presence of the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor

1. The role of nitric oxide (NO) in the acid secretory response of the rat stomach following damage was investigated. A rat stomach was mounted in an ex-vivo chamber, perfused with saline, and the potential difference (PD), luminal pH, acid and HCO3- responses were measured before and after the mucosal exposure to 20 mM taurocholate (TC) for 30 min, with or without pretreatment with NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME). 2. Exposure of the stomach to TC caused a reduction of PD, a decrease of acid secretion and an increase in luminal HCO-. Pretreatment with L-NAME did not affect such PD and HCO3- responses, but completely attenuated the decreased acid secretory response and rather enhanced this secretion. 3. These effects of L-NAME were significantly antagonized by the co-administration of L-arginine but not D-arginine. The enhanced acid secretory response in the presence of L-NAME was significantly inhibited by prior administration of cimetidine or FPL-52694 (a mast-cell stabilizer). 4. The mucosal exposure to TC significantly decreased the number of mucosal mast cells and increased the luminal histamine output. 5. Damage in the stomach may activate the histamine-dependent acid stimulatory pathway in addition to the NO-dependent inhibitory mechanism, although the latter effect overcomes the former, resulting in a decrease of acid secretion. L-NAME unmasks the stimulation of acid secretion by suppressing the inhibitory pathway.

Utility of the interval mapping technique using DNA pools of inbred mice

We report an application of the interval mapping technique using DNA pools of inbred mice. The latest challenge in molecular genetics is to use microsatellite markers for gene mapping and cloning. Little is known about the interval mapping technique for detecting candidate linkages in inbred mice. We investigated the optimum interval length of microsatellite markers for gene mapping using DNA pools on mouse chromosomes, and found that between 25 and 35 centi Morgans (cM) was sufficient. We estimated that at least two to four microsatellite markers required for interval mapping should be present on each chromosome. The number required would depend entirely on the linkage map.

Ganglioneuroblastoma of the thymus: an adult case with the syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone

A 61-year-old woman was admitted to the hospital because of general fatigue. Laboratory examinations showed hyponatremia, plasma hypo-osmolarity, and inappropriate increased concentration of the plasma antidiuretic hormone (ADH) in the presence of concentrated urine. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a mass lesion in the anterior mediastinum. An extended thymectomy was performed under the diagnosis of thymoma with the syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone (SIADH). Histologically the tumor was located in the thymic tissue and was diagnosed as ganglioneuroblastoma. Immunohistochemical studies showed the existence of ADH in the tumor cells. To the knowledge of the authors, this is the first case of ganglioneuroblastoma of the thymus with SIADH.

Microsurgical epididymal sperm aspiration versus epididymal micropuncture with perivascular nerve stimulation for intracytoplasmic sperm injection to treat unreconstructable obstructive azoospermia

A novel sperm collection method by epididymal micropuncture combined with perivascular nerve stimulation has been developed to obtain as many clean sperm as possible for IVF for patients with surgically irreparable vasal obstruction. To assess whether the new technique could improve the fertilization and pregnancy rates obtained when attempting microsurgical epididymal sperm aspiration (MESA) to retrieve epididymal sperm from such patients, a prospective randomized comparative study was conducted. Twenty-nine cycles of conventional MESA with ICSI were performed on 25 couples with congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens (CBAVD) and four failed vasovasostomy cases (group 1). Thirty cycles of epididymal micropuncture with nerve stimulation with ICSI were performed on 28 couples with CBAVD and two failed epididymovasostomy cases (group 2). The mean volume of epididymal fluid and sperm motility in group 2 was significantly higher than that in group 1 (p < .001). Both fertilization and pregnancy rates in group 2 were significantly higher than those in group 1 (p < .001 and p < .03). This novel epididymal sperm collection method for ICSI can provide significantly higher fertilization and pregnancy rates than conventional MESA for ICSI.

[Solitary plasmacytoma of sternum--a case report and review of the Japanese literature]

A 39-year-old woman complained of anterior chest pain. A lateral chest X-ray film showed destruction of bone in the body of sternum. CT scan showed a soft tissue density within the sternum. Serum protein electropheresis revealed mild monoclonal gammopathy of IgG-kappa, but the urine contained no Bence-Jones protein. A biopsy specimen showed plasmacytoma with cytoplasmic Ig IgG-kappa. Bone scintigraphy and systemic bone roentgenography revealed only the lesion in the sternum. Sternal subtotal resectin was performed. The defect of the anterior chest wall was reconstructed with double folded marlex mesh and pedicles from the major pectoral muscle. Iliac bone marrow aspiration revealed no evidence of myeloma. There was no serum evidence of monoclonal gammopathy two months after the operation. Therefore, the final diagnosis was solitary plasmacytoma of the sternum. It is now 41 months since surgery, and there have been no signs of fecurrence. Long term follow up is necessary in this case.

Disseminated infection with Trichosporon asahii

Trichosporon fungaemia and disseminated, purpuric, papular skin lesions developed on the head, trunk and extremities of a 5-year-old female with acute lymphocytic leukaemia. Histopathologically, the skin lesions demonstrated dermal budding yeasts. She died despite treatment with antifungal drugs. The isolate from the blood was further identified morphologically and physiologically as Trichosporon asahii, based on the revision of the genus Trichosporon by Guého et al. (1992). According to the new revision, T. asahii is the only taxon regularly involved in systemic mycoses, so that most of the isolates previously reported as T. beigelii (formerly, T. cutaneum) in human deep mycoses are now thought to belong to T. asahii.

Successful pregnancy after intracytoplasmic injection of a single testicular spermatozoon into a human oocyte: a case report

Testicular sperm was retrieved from a man with an epididymal obstruction, and an intracytoplasmic sperm injection was made into his wife's oocytes. In 4 mature oocytes treated, 2 fertilized eggs were obtained, and a clinical pregnancy was established with embryo transfers. Our experience demonstrated the possibility of fertilization and conception with testicular sperm.