Revolutionary Breakthrough: India Achieves First Live Birth via Sperm Immobilization (Si) Technology

For many couples, infertility can feel like an insurmountable barrier to the dream of parenthood. Male infertility, particularly conditions like azoospermia (complete absence of sperm in the ejaculate), has historically posed significant challenges in reproductive medicine. But recent scientific advances have shifted this narrative, opening doors for possibilities previously considered unreachable.

In a groundbreaking development, Bloom IVF Centre in Gurgaon—under the expert leadership of Dr. Hrishikesh Pai, a globally recognized infertility & IVF doctor—has achieved India’s first live birth using the innovative Sperm Vitrification Device (Sperm VD).

This landmark success involved a couple with non-obstructive azoospermia, where even the retrieval of a single viable sperm was a challenge. Thanks to this new technology, they are now proud parents of a healthy baby girl.

Let’s explore how this breakthrough was made possible—and why it matters to thousands of couples across India.

Infertility affects about 15% of couples worldwide. In nearly half of these cases, male factors contribute to the difficulty in conception. Male infertility may manifest as:

• Oligospermia: Low sperm count
• Azoospermia: Complete absence of sperm in semen
• Asthenozoospermia: Poor sperm motility
• Teratozoospermia: Abnormal sperm shape

Among these, azoospermia is the most complex to treat. It is further classified as:

• Obstructive azoospermia: Sperm is produced but blocked from ejaculation
• Non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA): Testes fail to produce sperm altogether

Key features of Sperm VD include:

• Ability to preserve as few as one or two sperm
• High post-thaw survival and viability rates
• Compatibility with ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection) techniques

Here’s how the process works:

1. Sperm Collection: Via semen sample or surgical retrieval (TESA/Micro-TESE)

2. Sperm Identification: Viable sperm are carefully isolated under a microscope

3. Vitrification: Individual sperm are rapidly frozen using the Sperm VD

4. Thawing and Use: Frozen sperm are thawed and used to fertilize an egg using ICSI

This process transforms the outlook for men with severely compromised sperm production.

At the Fortis Bloom IVF Centre in Gurgaon, a couple with NOA achieved what once seemed impossible—a biological child using just a few frozen sperm retrieved with this new technology. The woman underwent ovarian stimulation and egg retrieval, followed by ICSI using thawed sperm preserved via Sperm VD.

The resulting embryo transfer led to a successful pregnancy and live birth, which was published in the journal Indian Obstetrics & Gynaecology. This success story has ignited hope across the fertility community and redefined what’s achievable for similar cases.

Dr. Hrishikesh Pai, Founder and Medical Director of Bloom IVF Group, is one of India’s most respected figures in the field of reproductive medicine. With over 40 years of clinical experience, Dr. Pai has introduced numerous cutting-edge technologies in India, including:

• IMSI (Intracytoplasmic Morphologically Selected Sperm Injection)
• Laser-assisted hatching
• Oocyte freezing and vitrification

Dr. Pai has trained internationally, including a clinical fellowship from The Royal Women’s Hospital, Melbourne, and holds the prestigious FRCOG from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, UK.

He has received multiple awards, such as:

• ISAR Lifetime Achievement Award
• Times Healthcare Achievers Award as “Legend – IVF & Fertility”
• Distinguished Chair Award at IOG 2019-20

Today, he leads 11 state-of-the-art Bloom IVF centres across India—including in Mumbai, Delhi, Gurgaon, and Chandigarh.

For decades, male infertility was a challenging frontier with limited solutions. The Sperm VD now offers several unique advantages:

• Preserves scarce sperm effectively
• Reduces the need for repeated surgical sperm retrievals
• Improves ICSI outcomes for azoospermic patients
• Makes fertility preservation feasible for men with deteriorating sperm counts

It’s especially beneficial for:

• Cancer patients preserving fertility before chemotherapy
• Men with intermittent sperm presence in ejaculates (cryptospermia)
• Those undergoing repeated failed IVF cycles due to male factors

The success of Sperm VD technology marks a turning point. As more clinics adopt this method, couples who had previously exhausted all options now have renewed hope.

Dr. Hrishikesh Pai’s commitment to excellence and innovation ensures that Bloom IVF remains at the forefront of fertility advancements in India and internationally.

For couples facing male infertility, the message is clear: the future is full of possibilities, and solutions are now within reach.

Reference links:

https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Sperm-immobilization-a-Standard-procedure-STIm-pressing-the-tip-of-the-tail-against_fig1_230755407

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-56092-4 

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