title: Multiple testicular sampling in non-obstructive azoospermia--is it necessary?
abstract: Spermatogenesis may be focal in non-obstructive azoospermia. The present study was conducted to determine whether the performance of multiple, rather than a single testicular sample contributes to obtaining spermatozoa in amounts sufficient for fertilization and cryopreservation in non-obstructive, azoospermic patients. Furthermore, the aim was to clarify the significance of location for retrieval from the testis in such cases. Three biopsies were taken from identical locations in 55 testes of 29 men with non-obstructive azoospermia: (i) the rete testis region, ii) the midline, and (iii) the proximal region of the testis. When sperm cells were detected, they were used for intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), and the remainder were then cryopreserved in as many aliquots as possible (adjusted for ICSI procedure). Spermatozoa were found in 28 testes (50.9%) of 18 men (62.1%). In the testes from which spermatozoa were obtained, they were present in three, two or one locations in 15 (53.6%), five (17.9%) and eight (28.6%) cases respectively. The possibility of finding spermatozoa was not influenced by the location in the testis. Multiple testicular sperm extraction is recommended in cases of non-obstructive azoospermia, since it may enhance diagnostic accuracy of absolute testicular failure and increase the number of sperm cells retrieved.
authors.affiliation: The Institute for the Study of Fertility, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hauser
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Botchan
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Amit
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ben Yosef
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gamzu
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Paz
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Lessing
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Yogev
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yavetz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001706:Biopsy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D015925:Cryopreservation; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008845:Microinjections; D008875:Middle Aged; D009845:Oligospermia / Q000473:pathology*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011247:Pregnancy; D013076:Sperm Count; D013094:Spermatozoa; D013737:Testis / Q000473:pathology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome