Sperm extracted and cryopreserved from testes several hours after death results in pregnancy following frozen embryo transfer: Case report

Abstract

A 38-year-old male died suddenly on his honeymoon. Sperm was extracted from his testes 3 h following his death and cryopreserved. His wife had in vitro fertilization (IVF) and the eggs were inseminated by intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). None of the sperm were motile. Selection was based on softness and pliability. There were 4 embryos formed that cleaved, but only 2 were transferred on the retrieval cycle. The wife failed to conceive, but then had a second transfer of the 2 cryopreserved embryos. She achieved a chemical pregnancy with the β-human chorionic gonadotropin level attaining a maximum level of 107 mIU/mL (rising from 19 mIU/mL). Though this retrieval cycle did not result in a successful pregnancy the achievement of a clinical pregnancy following frozen embryo transfer at least provides cautious optimism for other cases with similar conditions.