Mm. Al-rayess et Ac. Al-rikabi, Morphologic patterns of male infertility in Saudi patients - A University Hospital experience, SAUDI MED J, 21(7), 2000, pp. 625-628
Objective: To determine the predominant histopathological patterns seen in
the testicular biopsies taken during the investigation of male infertility
and to compare the obtained histopathological findings with those seen in o
ther similar studies.
Methods: This is a retrospective study performed on 230 testicular biopsies
which were examined in the Department of Pathology at King Khalid Universi
ty Hospital in Riyadh over a period of 10 years. The histopathological find
ings were grouped into 8 different morphologic categories. We have utilized
a classification that is principally morphologic but that uses known or su
spected clinical associations in the case of karyotypic abnormalities and e
xcurrent duct obstruction.
Results: Of the total of 230 testicular biopsies studied, 72 cases showed n
ormal spermatogenesis, of which 50 cases were suspected to be associated wi
th excurrent duct obstruction. Germinal cell aplasia with and without focal
spermatogenesis was found in about 90 cases. Thirty cases showed hyposperm
atogenesis, 25 cases showed maturation arrest and 12 cases showed end stage
tubular sclerosis with interstitial fibrosis. Only one case was noted to s
how features associated with karyotypic abnormalities.
Conclusions: A higher percentage of germinal cell aplasia was noted in this
study when compared with other similar investigations including one previo
us local study. Possible causes of these discrepancies may be related to se
veral factors including environmental effects. The design of the different
studies and the criteria used for patient selection or both could also expl
ain the cause of these observed differences.