Is There a Place for Round and Elongated Spermatids Injection inAssisted Reproduction?

Spermatids are the earliest male germ cells with one set of haploid chromosomes. Afterexperiments, mainly in rodents, the spermatid injection was introduced in human assistedreproduction to the treatment of men with non-obstructive azoospermia. Spermatid injection is atechnique with particular difficulties that may negatively influence the outcome. The identification,isolation and the assessment of viability, especially for round spermatids, require intensive workand considerable experience. Up to date, it appears that the rates of fertilization and implantationwith round spermatid injection are dramatically low and significantly less compared to the use ofelongated spermatid injection. The extremely low fertilization potency of the round spermatids ledto attempts for their in-vitro culture and maturation. The immaturity of round and elongatedspermatids has raised concerns regarding the potential genetic risk for the offspring. Under thesefacts, a reconsideration of the use of spermatids in assisted human reproduction is necessary