ICSI with surgically retrieved sperm in azoospermia: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis of reproductive, perinatal, long-term, and paternal outcomes.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Azoospermia affects ~ 1% of men and represents a major cause of severe male infertility. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) with surgically retrieved sperm from the testis or epididymis enables biological fatherhood in obstructive (OA) and non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) patients. However, comparative studies versus ejaculated sperm remain fragmented, particularly for neonatal and long-term offspring outcomes. This study aims to address the existing evidence gap regarding the outcomes of ICSI cycles using surgically retrieved versus ejaculated sperm in men with azoospermia by evaluating reproductive, perinatal, long-term offspring, and paternal outcomes.

Methods

A systematic review and meta-analysis will be conducted following the PRISMA-P and PRISMA 2020 g

SUBMITTER: Tsiartas P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12801866 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature