Factors affecting the success of microdissection testicular sperm extraction in men with non-obstructive azoospermia

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:To determine the sperm retrieval rates (SRRs) and predictive factors of patients with non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) after testicular sperm extraction (TESE)MATRERIAL and METHODS:A total of 311 patients who were diagnosed with non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) and underwent TESE were included in this study. Physical examination, hormone values, testicular volumes, and the medical history of all patients were recordedRESULTS:The mean sperm retrieval rates (SRRs) were 46.7%. These SRRs were 34.2%, 33.3%, 71.4%, 100%, and 100% for Sertoli Cell Only, late maturation arrest, early maturation arrest, hypospermatogenesis, and normal spermatogenesis, respectively (p<0.001). While the mean FSH values were significantly lower in patients with positive mTESE (19.7±12.8 mL/U vs. 25.3±15.5 mL/U, p: 0.001), the mean testicular volumes were larger in patients with positive TESE compared to patients with negative mTESE (p: 0.004).CONCLUSION:The testicular histopathology, level of FSH and testicular volume were identified as independent predictors of SRRs for men with NOAKeywords:Azoospermia, male infertilite, testicular sperm extraction