Predictive factors for motile sperm recovery using testicular biopsy in nonobstructive azoospermic patients.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of the present study was to assess the predictive value of hormone values, histological analysis for the finding of motile spermatozoa on testicular biopsy in nonobstructive azoospermia.


METHODS
This cross-sectional study assessed serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone, prolactin and total testosterone values in 50 patients undergoing testicular biopsy prior to ICSI. P < 0.05 was considered significant.


RESULTS
Recovery was successful in 28 cases, and motile spermatozoa were retrieved in 7. Significant differences were detected between presence of motile spermatozoa and absence of spermatozoa in terms of FSH values (P = 0.003, one-way ANOVA). The other variables did not present statistical differences. A receiver operating characteristic curve showed that FSH levels below 17.00 IU/L were predictive of motile spermatozoa recovery.


CONCLUSIONS
FSH values can serve as a predictive factor for the recovery of motile spermatozoa using biopsy in azoospermic patients. On the other hand, histological analysis and other hormone values were not helpful in the prediction of motile sperm.
Souza
C A B
CA
Human Reproduction Center, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil. casouza@via-rs.net
Cunha Filho
J S
JS
Santos
D
D
Gratão
A
A
Freitas
F M
FM
Passos
E P
EP
D001706:Biopsy; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009845:Oligospermia; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D013081:Sperm Motility; D013094:Spermatozoa; D013737:Testis / Q000166:cytology*; D020858:Tissue and Organ Harvesting / Q000379:methods*