I have CAVD. I had ICSI twice but failed. Is there any surgery or procedure to restore my vas deferens?

Hi, there is no operation that can build the system to transport sperm up and out of the body. I hope that you had testing for mutations in the cystic fibrosis genes and that your brothers and sisters have been informed of what your mutations are so that they can be tested as well. So much of the success of an ICSI cycle is also based upon the quality of the eggs and not just the sperm obtained from a well-performed retrieval.

Hope this helps,

Dr. Robert Oates
www.robertoatesmd.com

Published on Jul 11, 2012

From Wikipedia: Congenital absence of the vas deferens (CAVD) is a condition in which the vasa deferentia reproductive organs, fail to form properly prior to birth. It may either be unilateral (CUAVD) or bilateral (CBAVD).

The vas deferens connect the sperm-producing testicles to the penis. Therefore, those who are missing both vas deferens are typically able to create sperm but are unable to transport them appropriately. Their semen does not contain sperm, a condition known as azoospermia.

This is obviously an uncommon condition and the fact that you have no sperm in the ejaculate means your condition is bilateral. To my knowledge there is no procedure to restore the vas deferens. Sperm reaches the vas by way of the ductus efferentes which are very small tubules that transport the sperm from the testicle to the epididymis and then this continues on to the vas deferens. The the last part of the journey involves the vas joining the seminal vesicles and the prostate at the ejaculatory duct. So restoring this would not be feasible. Since the sperm in the testis itself should be good your best bet is to continue with in vitro options. The third time just might be the charm!

Published on Jul 11, 2012