title: Computerized cell-scanning system for evaluating human spermatogenesis in non-obstructive azoospermic patients.
abstract: There may be incompatibility between testicular histopathological evaluation and testicular sperm extraction (TESE) outcome. Assessment for sperm presence and different pathological disturbances of non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) remains challenging. An assay for maximal sampling and accurate identification of testicular cells from NOA patients undergoing TESE and autopsied fertile controls was developed. Testicular cells stained and scanned automatically for morphology underwent fluorescence in-situ hybridization using centromeric probes for chromosomes X, Y and 18 after destaining. Cells were automatically classified according to ploidy, and ratios of haploid cells and autosomal (18) and sex-chromosome bivalent rates were calculated. Identification of testicular cells in suspension enabled prediction of spermatogenesis in seven of eight Sertoli-cell-only syndrome patients. Haploid/diploid cell ratios were 67.6:32.2 for controls and 9.6:90.4 for patients. Both autosomal (18) and sex-chromosome bivalents were present in patients (4.1 ± 5.82%) and controls (19.7 ± 8.95%). Few tetraploid pachytene spermatocytes were observed. More secondary spermatocytes with NOA showed two distinct signals for chromosome 18 (27.9 ± 32.69%) compared with controls (0.4 ± 0.35%). The computerized cell-scanning system enables simultaneous application of morphology and chromosome analysis of testicular cells, which enhance assessing different pathological disturbances and estimating the likelihood of a successful second TESE procedure.
authors: Infertility and IVF Unit, Assaf Harofeh Medical Center, Zerifin 703000, Israel. embriology@asaf.health.gov.il
authors: Deborah
authors: D
authors: Strassburger
authors: Alisa
authors: A
authors: Komsky-Elbaz
authors: Malka
authors: M
authors: Reichart
authors: Arieh
authors: A
authors: Raziel
authors: Esti
authors: E
authors: Kasterstein
authors: Daphna
authors: D
authors: Komarovsky
authors: Orna
authors: O
authors: Bern
authors: Shevach
authors: S
authors: Friedler
authors: Raphael
authors: R
authors: Ron-El
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D053713:Azoospermia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics*; D001706:Biopsy; D002875:Chromosomes / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003201:Computers; D006801:Humans; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence / Q000379:methods; D007621:Karyotyping; D008297:Male; D008540:Meiosis; D012708:Sertoli Cells / Q000166:cytology; D012730:Sex Chromosomes; D013090:Spermatocytes / Q000166:cytology; D013091:Spermatogenesis; D013093:Spermatogonia / Q000473:pathology; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000473:pathology; D013737:Testis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology