Attitudes of Klinefelter men and their relatives towards TESE-ICSI

Abstract

PurposeAt the start of the implementation of TESE-ICSI for Klinefelter men in the Netherlands, we aimed to evaluate their wish to father children and their attitudes towards this artificial reproduction technique.MethodsQuestionnaires were distributed to members of the Dutch Klinefelter Association (n = 365) and to Klinefelter cases known at our Department (n = 58). Questions addressed several aspects: socio-demographic characteristics, ascertainment of diagnosis, children and child wish, and TESE-ICSI. Data were characterized using descriptive statistics.ResultsA total of 260 questionnaires (corresponding to 194 cases, 46%) were returned. A possible wish to father children was reported by 90% of Klinefelter men. 70% of Klinefelter men and 74% of their partners would (probably) opt for TESE-ICSI.ConclusionThe majority of Dutch Klinefelter men and their partners desire to have children and have a positive attitude towards TESE-ICSI. Concerns include the risk of congenital malformations/developmental delay of the child and the limited success rate of TESE-ICSI.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s10815-011-9603-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Klinefelter syndrome: an argument for early aggressive hormonal and fertility management

“…In a questionnaire-based survey of patients with KS, 90% of respondents expressed a desire to father children (64). However, 70% of them also identified safety concerns with the use of TESE-ICSI, in terms of chromosomal, congenital, or developmental abnormalities in their offspring (64).…”

“…However, 70% of them also identified safety concerns with the use of TESE-ICSI, in terms of chromosomal, congenital, or developmental abnormalities in their offspring (64). The majority of offspring born to men with KS have been healthy, with a normal 46,XX or 46,XY chromosomal complement (18).…”

A new method to process testicular sperm: combining enzymatic digestion, accumulation of spermatozoa, and stimulation of motility

“…Even in bad prognosis patients suffering from Klinefelter syndrome [4] or hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism [5] pregnancies can be achieved. Testicular sperm extraction (TESE) specimens require less surgical expertise than epididymal ones and can be provided by all staff urologists, thus allowing for greater flexibility in scheduling IVF procedures.…”

Spermatogonial stem cell preservation in boys with Klinefelter syndrome: to bank or not to bank, that's the question

“…A recent study of Maiburg et al (68) showed that 70% of men with KS and 74% of their partners would opt for TESE-ICSI in order to father a child. Ninety-five percent of the parents estimated this treatment a valuable option for their sons.…”

“…So, assuming that the technical problems will be solved, there is a willingness to use assisted reproduction to realize a child wish. However, the utilization rate of frozen tissue will also be determined by alternatives and need: in approximately 55% of men spermatozoa can be recovered at adult age, only about 50 percent of men with KS had a partner at the age of 40 (68).…”