A comparison of the morphology of testicular, epididymal, and ejaculated sperm from fertile men and men with obstructive azoospermia.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the morphology of testicular, epididymal, and ejaculated sperm.


METHODS
Morphology of the three types of sperm was assessed by using Tygerberg strict criteria.


METHODS
The Regional Fertility Center, Royal Maternity Hospital, Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom.


METHODS
Thirty-two men with obstructive azoospermia and 10 fertile men.


METHODS
Trucut needle testicular biopsy and percutaneous epididymal sperm aspiration under local anesthetic.


METHODS
Percentages of normal sperm and sperm with head, midpiece, and tail defects for testicular, epididymal, and ejaculated sperm. Testicular sperm morphology in men with obstructive azoospermia was compared with that of fertile men.


RESULTS
The percentage of normal testicular sperm (4.3%) differed significantly from the percentages of normal epididymal (10. 8%) and ejaculated sperm (9.6%). Testicular sperm morphology in men with obstructive azoospermia did not differ from that in fertile men.


CONCLUSIONS
Tygerberg strict criteria are not suitable for the assessment of testicular sperm morphology.
Steele
E K
EK
The Queen's University of Belfast, Institute of Clinical Science, and Royal Maternity Hospital, Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom.
McClure
N
N
Lewis
S
S
D004542:Ejaculation; D004822:Epididymis; D005298:Fertility / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009845:Oligospermia / Q000473:pathology*; D012016:Reference Values; D013077:Sperm Head / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013082:Sperm Tail / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D013737:Testis