title: Identification of seminiferous tubule aberrations and a low incidence of testicular microliths associated with the development of azoospermia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the use of percutaneous testicular sperm aspiration in the assessment of azoospermia and its association with seminiferous tubule microliths.
  
  
  METHODS
  Case report.
  
  
  METHODS
  Tertiary care fertility center in a university hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Male undergoing infertility evaluation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Testicular biopsy and percutaneous testicular aspiration.
  
  
  METHODS
  Serum hormone analysis, sperm concentration in semen, spermatogenesis in samples from testicular biopsies and aspirations, and microlith composition.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A patient presented for infertility evaluation with a history of severe oligospermia that progressed to azoospermia. The serum testosterone concentration (357 ng/dL) and LH concentration (9.2 mIU/mL) were normal and the serum FSH concentration (18.3 mIU/mL) was elevated. Testicular biopsy results indicated spermatogenic hypoplasia with limited spermatozoa. Seminiferous tubules obtained by percutaneous testicular aspiration were structurally aberrant, with multiple diverticula. Microliths averaging 120 microm in diameter were observed within and blocking the seminiferous tubules. The microliths were composed of calcium phosphate (hydroxyapatite) in both the core and peripheral regions. Electron microscopy revealed a high degree of collagen-like material within the peripheral zone.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The presence of seminiferous tubule microliths is associated with the development of azoospermia. In patients with a low incidence of seminiferous tubule microliths and aberrant seminiferous tubule architecture, percutaneous testicular aspiration may provide a diagnostic advantage over testicular biopsy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Chicago, Illinois, USA. smithgd@umich.edu
authors.forename: G D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Steele
authors.forename: R B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Barnes
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Levine
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001706:Biopsy; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009845:Oligospermia / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D012671:Seminiferous Tubules / Q000002:abnormalities*; D013076:Sperm Count; D013081:Sperm Motility; D013091:Spermatogenesis; D013733:Testicular Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D013737:Testis / Q000473:pathology; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D013739:Testosterone; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone