IMAGE-ANALYSIS ASSESSMENT OF THE ABNORMAL TESTIS BIOPSY IN MALE-INFERTILITY

Purpose: We previously demonstrated that testis biopsy image analysis is an effective method for quantifying intratubular spermatogenic cell s in the obstructed testis with normal spermatogenesis. As an extensio n of the initial report, we describe using the quantitative ploidy and morphological characteristics of cells counted with image analysis in abnormal testis biopsies obtained for a male infertility evaluation. Materials and Methods: Image analysis using a specifically designed fi lter was performed on Feulgen stained 5 mu m. sections of paraffin emb edded testicular tissue. Archival testicular tissue had been obtained using standard biopsy techniques from patients with azoospermia or sev ere oligospermia. Qualitative classification was based on standard eva luation of hematoxylin and eosin processed tissue. Results: There were 62 biopsies performed in 58 men. Significant differences in the intra tubular content of haploid (spermatozoa and spermatids), diploid and t etraploid cells were found among the 5 categories of abnormalities: th e Sertoli-cell-only syndrome, spermatocyte arrest, spermatid arrest, h ypospermatogenesis and normal spermatogenesis. Moderate variability wa s found in the proportion of cell types in spermatid arrest and hyposp ermatogenesis. Conclusions: Testis biopsy image analysis provides a qu antitative method for categorizing abnormalities of intratubular cell content present in male infertility states by using deoxyribonucleic a cid content and morphology characteristics. The limitations of the pre sent qualitative analysis system are emphasized by the moderate variab ility evident within the current categories of spermatid arrest and hy po-spermatogenesis states.