Using a vortex mixer for testicular sperm collection.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate 2 methods of processing testicular tissue for the retrieval of viable sperm from men with nonobstructive azoospermia.


METHODS
Fresh testicular tissue was obtained from nonobstructive azoospermia patients using a biopsy needle. The specimens were divided into 2 fractions. All specimens were minced and immersed in human tubal fluid (HTF). The first fraction was filtered through a nylon filter and incubated for 3 hours. The supernatant was centrifuged, resuspended in HTF and analyzed. The second fraction was immediately vortexed for 5 minutes and filtered through a nylon filter. The supernatant was centrifuged, resuspended in HTF and analyzed.


RESULTS
Spermatozoa were obtained in 13 of 24 cases (54.2%) using the vortex method and in 5 of 24 cases (20.8%) with the nylon filter method.


CONCLUSIONS
The vortex mixing method may be a better option than the conventional method for processing testicular tissue for sperm collection.
Tokuyama
Osamu
O
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Osaka City University Medical School, Towako Reproduction Center Osaka, Osaka, Japan. otoku@med.osaka-cu.ac.jp
Nakamura
Yoshihiro
Y
Ozaki
Koji
K
Kawashima
Kazumi
K
Fujino
Yuji
Y
Ishiko
Osamu
O
D000328:Adult; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D005306:Fertilization; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000295:instrumentation*; D020554:Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic; D013094:Spermatozoa; D013737:Testis / Q000166:cytology* / Q000473:pathology