Correlation of cell counts and indices in testicular FNAC with histology in male infertility

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the value of percentage cell counts and cell indices in testicular fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) in male infertility a nd their correlation with histologic categories as seen in open testicular biopsies. STUDY DESIGN: Differential cell counts were performed, and cell indices, in cluding spermatic index, Sertoli cell index and sperm-Sertoli cell index, w ere calculated in testicular fine needle aspiration (FNA) smears in 30 azoo spermic males whose open testicular biopsies were classified as normal sper matogenesis in 10 cases, maturation arrest in 5, hypospermatogenesis in 6, Sertoli cell only syndrome in 5 and tubular/peritubular sclerosis in 4. RESULTS: In normal spermatogenesis, FNA smears showed up to 40% Sertoli cel ls, and spermatozoa were the predominant spermatogenetic cell type. There w as a progressive increase in Sertoli cell percentage and Sertoli cell index and reduction in spermatozon percentage, spermatic index and sperm-Sertoli cell index with increasing severity of reduction in spermatogenesis in dif ferent histologic categories. The differences between mean counts and indic es in normal spermatogenesis and other histologic categories were statistic ally significant (P<.01). CONCLUSION: The percent cell counts and cell indices in testicular FNAC cor relate with histologic categories and are useful in evaluating male inferti lity.