The outcome of IVF/ICSI cycles in male cancer patients: retrospective analysis of procedures from 2004 to 2018

Abstract

Introduction

Fertility preservation is an important aspect of quality of life in oncological patients and in men is achieved by semen cryopreservation prior to treatment. Results of in vitro fertilization procedures in healthy infertile couples are comparable, regardless of whether fresh or cryopreserved semen is used, but are scarce in male oncological patients.

Materials and methods

We performed a retrospective analysis of IVF/ICSI procedures in infertile couples where men had been treated for cancer in the past. We additionally compared the results of IVF/ICSI procedures with respect to the type of semen used (fresh, cryopreserved).

Results

We compared success rates of 226 IVF/ICSI cycles performed in years 2004-2018. Pregnancy (29.0% vs. 22.7%; p=0.30) and live-birth rates (21.0% vs. 19.3%; p=0.75) per oocyte aspiration were similar between the groups in fresh cycles, however blastocyst (35.9% vs. 28.8%; p=0.02) and embryo utilization rates (50.0% vs. 39.5%: p<0.01) were significantly higher in the cryopreserved semen group. The cumulative pregnancy rate (59.5% vs. 39.3%; p=0.02) was significantly and live-birth rate (44.6% vs. 35.7%; p=0.31) non-significantly higher in the cryopreserved semen group.

Conclusion

Success of IVF/ICSI procedures in couples where male partner was treated for cancer in the past are the same in terms of pregnancies and live-births in fresh cycles regardless of the type of semen used. However, blastocyst and embryo utilization rates are significantly higher when cryopreserved semen is used, leading to significantly higher cumulative number of couples who achieved at least one pregnancy.