title: Probe-based confocal laser endomicroscopy (pCLE) - a new imaging technique for in situ localization of spermatozoa.
abstract: In azoospermic patients, spermatozoa are routinely obtained by testicular sperm extraction (TESE). However, success rates of this technique are moderate, because the site of excision of testicular tissue is determined arbitrarily. Therefore the aim of this study was to establish probe-based laser endomicroscopy (pCLE) a noval biomedical imaging technique, which provides the opportunity of non-invasive, real-time visualisation of tissue at histological resolution. Using pCLE we clearly visualized longitudinal and horizontal views of the tubuli seminiferi contorti and localized vital spermatozoa. Obtained images and real-time videos were subsequently compared with confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) of spermatozoa and tissues, respectively. Comparative visualization of single native Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM, left) and probe-based laser endomicroscopy (pCLE, right) using Pro Flex(TM) UltraMini O after staining with acriflavine.
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Trottmann
authors.forename: Herbert
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Stepp
authors.forename: Ronald
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sroka
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Heide
authors.forename: Bernhard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Liedl
authors.forename: Sven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Reese
authors.forename: Armin J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Becker
authors.forename: Christian G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Stief
authors.forename: Sabine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kölle
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004542:Ejaculation; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006801:Humans; D007834:Lasers; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D057054:Molecular Imaging / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D055100:Optical Fibers; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000166:cytology*; D013737:Testis / Q000166:cytology
keywords: Confocal laser scanning microscopy; Real-time systems; medical imaging; spermatozoa; testicular sperm retrieval