Prognostic factors for successful testicle spermatid recover

Men with non-obstructive azoospermia exhibit different histopathologic synd romes in the testicle biopsy, varying from aplasia, Sertoli cell only syndr ome, maturation arrest and hypoplasia. The genetic basis of these syndromes is discussed. We present the diagnostic testicle biopsies performed on 160 consecutive non-obstructive azoospermic patients, and these results were c orrelated with the findings after multiple bilateral treatment testicle bio psy. Each syndrome had to be reevaluated as for the presence of at least on e focus of spermatogenesis up to the primary spermatocyte, round spermatid, elongating spermatid, elongated spermatid, or spermatozoa stages. The clin ical outcome using donor sperm-IVF, spermatid or sperm intracytoplasmic inj ection is thereafter presented. A new prognosis based on the findings of th is large clinical series coupled to results obtained with Y chromosome mole cular screening is offered. Alternative treatments to donor sperm for men w ithout spermatids are discussed. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.