The management of azoospermia.
Azoospermia in the presence of a normally functioning testis and a normal vasogram has been thought to be due to an obstruction in the epididymis between the body and the head. However, bypass operations have been singularly unsuccessful except when there was evidence of past inflammation causing fibrosis of the body and tail of the epididymis. Two substances, glycerylphosphorylcholine and carnitine, which are known to be secreted by the epididymis, were investigated. The results of this preliminary study suggest that they may play a part in the management of patients presenting with azoospermia.
D002331:Carnitine / Q000032:analysis*; D004822:Epididymis / Q000378:metabolism; D005997:Glycerylphosphorylcholine / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D009845:Oligospermia / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy*; D012661:Semen / Q000032:analysis*; D014659:Vasectomy
D005997:Glycerylphosphorylcholine; D002331:Carnitine