IVF: Male Factor Issue

[rbk2337]

Hello,

I have a questions for male CF'ers that have gone through IVF or tried to go through it. I recently started the process due to CF and CBAVD and hit an issue in the middle of it. I did the standard IVF blood work and LH hormone and testosterone came back slightly low. Dr didn't think it was a big deal, then I had a PESA procedure on one side. Unfortunately only a couple of non-motile sperm were found, nothing they could do anything with.
After reading a bit more on the internet, it seem the the CFTR defect may affect sperm production in the testes, has anyone had this issue or heard of this?
Also, is lower testosterone and LH hormone typical in CFers? At last, has anyone had an unsuccessful PESA then a successful MESA or TESA done?

Thanks

 

[ethan508]

We did IVF (male factor) but didn't face the same issues that you have with the sperm retrievals. But I wanted to say, I'm sorry, that sucks, and I hope the Dr. can figure something out so you can have success. My sperm were non-motile but in sufficient quantities to be able to do ICSI with several of my wife's eggs.

Littlelab just suggested to me in another thread that lower testosterone shouldn't be surprising in a person with CF. Essentially that we are aging a little faster than normal in all areas.

 

[jaimers]

I'm sorry for the struggles you're going through with the IVF process
here are some other threads that may have helpful info for you about IVF. I also included a link to a blog of a CFer I know that went through IVF with his wife. Not sure if he had all the same issues or not but he may be able to offer some more insight. His name is John and I think he's a member here but if not he's defintely on Facebook or you can contact him through his blog http://livingmydreamswithcf.blogspot.com/p/ivf.html

http://forum.cysticfibrosis.com/thr...-a-Male-CFer-and-female-non-CF?highlight=male

http://forum.cysticfibrosis.com/thr...and-female-non-CF?highlight=Male+factor+issue

Here is an archived website by one of our longtime members that had triplets with her CF hubby through IVF. There may be some good info for you there as well. I think the link is also in the first forum link I shared above.
https://web.archive.org/web/20140113125355/http://cysticfibrosismaleinfertility.com/

best of luck to you!

 

[zjjordan]

Hey, Yes low testosterone can be something that can occurs in CF. I went through the same situation when my wife and I did IVF. Our story is actually on Mark and Julie's page liked above (https://web.archive.org/web/2013090...smaleinfertility.com/Success_Stories_IVF.html) Our son Phoenix is 9 years old now. My testosterone was to low for them to do have faith that a testicular biopsy would generate viable sperm. After seeing a urologist who has works with cf infertility he put me on a course of clomiphene citrate. That helped raise my testosterone and lead to a successful retrieval of sperm. If you can try to find a urologist that has worked with CF infertility before. Have faith and best of luck!