THE VALUE OF QUANTITATIVE DNA FLOW-CYTOMETRY OF TESTICULAR FINE-NEEDLE ASPIRATES IN ASSESSMENT OF SPERMATOGENESIS - A STUDY OF 137 PREVIOUSLY MALDESCENDED HUMAN TESTES

In order to assess the suitability of DNA flow cytometry of fine-needl e aspirates for quantifying spermatogenesis, the results from DNA now cytometry were compared to histological evaluation of testicular biops ies taken concomitantly from 171 previously maldescended testes. In 13 7 of 171 cases, sufficient material for now cytometric as well as hist ological evaluation was obtained. Histological analysis of surgical bi opsy specimens revealed spermatogenesis including the spermatid stage in 117 of the 137 gonads. In six ofthe 117 gonads no haploid cells wer e found using now cytometry. On the other hand, surgical biopsies fail ed to reveal spermatogenesis in five cases in which the corresponding aspirates contained haploid cells. Both methods therefore seem equally sensitive in detection of spermatogenesis. Other types of histologica l patterns also corresponded to distinct DNA histograms. Thus, in 11 o f 12 cases with Sertoli-cell-only pattern in all tubules, at least 95% of the cells had a diploid DNA content. Furthermore, predominance of tubules with maturation arrest at the primary spermatocyte level corre sponded to an increased proportion of tetraploid cells. When compared to surgical biopsy, DNA now cytometry of testiclar fine-needle aspirat es is a more objective, easy and rapid method, which is more convenien t for the patient. This study has indicatedthat DNA now cytometry is a suitable method of quantitative assessment of spermatogenesis. One of the first target groups might be men with azoospermia. In such men, D NA now cytometric analysis of fine-needle aspirates and surgical biops y are apparently of equal sensitivity in detecting gonads with spermat ogenesis. We conclude that DNA flow cytometry may become an alternativ e method for the quantification of spermatogenesis.