Male-factor infertility and in vitro fertilization

Abstract

In vitro fertilization (IVF) was developed primarily as a treatment for female and idiopathic infertility. However, with the discovery that relatively few sperm are required to achieve fertilization in vitro, it was proposed that IVF could be used also as an effective treatment for male-factor infertility. This review deals with the work that has been carried out by various groups in this area of male-factor infertility. As the standards of classification and the presentation of results vary from group to group, this also shows that there is a need for some standardization of how patient selection and the presentation of results are carried out in the area of male-factor infertility.