Cystic fibrosis gene mutations do not affect sperm function during in vitro fertilization with micromanipulation for men with bilateral congenital absence of vas deferens

Abstract

To assess the effects of cystic fibrosis transmembrane-conductance regulator (CFTR) gene mutations on sperm function and fertility in men with bilateral congenital absence of the vas deferens. Prospective. Division of urologic microsurgery and associated hospital-based IVF unit. Fertilization and pregnancy rates. Men referred to our fertility unit for treatment of bilateral congenital absence of the vas deferens, using sperm surgically retrieved from the epididymis with IVF and micromanipulation. Of 45 men with bilateral congenital absence of the vas, 54% (19/35) tested were found to be carriers of CFTR gene mutations, with one compound heterozygote. Epididymal sperm from men affected with CFTR mutations fertilized 19% (29/152) of oocytes, whereas men without mutations fertilized 22% (44/204) of oocytes. Pregnancy rates (PRs) were 36% (5/14) for cycles involving men with CFTR mutations and 33% (5/15) for other patients with congenital absence of the vas deferens but without detectable CFTR mutations. The presence of detectable CFTR mutations does not affect fertilization rates or PRs for men with bilateral congenital absence of the vas deferens when IVF and micromanipulation are applied.