Seminal haploid cell detection by flow cytometry in non-obstructive azoospermia: a good predictive parameter for testicular sperm extraction

BACKGROUND: Testicular sperm extraction (TESE) associated with ICSI gives patients suffering from non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) the possibility of becoming a father. The success rate of TESE based on sperm recovery is ∼50%, and the commonly used non-invasive parameters are not predictive enough....

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Human reproduction (Oxford) 2005-07, Vol.20 (7), p.1915-1920
Main Authors: Koscinski, I., Wittemer, C., Rigot, J.M., De Almeida, M., Hermant, E., Defossez, A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
azoospermia
Biological and medical sciences
Biopsy
Cell Separation
Flow Cytometry
Follicle Stimulating Hormone - blood
Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics
Haploidy
Humans
Inhibins - blood
Male
Medical sciences
Oligospermia - pathology
Oligospermia - therapy
Prognosis
Reproductive Techniques, Assisted
Semen - cytology
Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic
testicular biopsy
Testis - pathology
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Summary:BACKGROUND: Testicular sperm extraction (TESE) associated with ICSI gives patients suffering from non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) the possibility of becoming a father. The success rate of TESE based on sperm recovery is ∼50%, and the commonly used non-invasive parameters are not predictive enough. Only the invasive testis biopsy has a good prognostic value. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of the detection of seminal haploid cells by flow cytometry (FCM) in order to avoid unnecessary testicular biopsy. METHODS: For 37 NOA patients undergoing testicular biopsy, we measured testis size, serum FSH and inhibin B levels and carried out seminal cytology, seminal FCM analysis and histological examination. RESULTS: Sperm were found in 18 biopsies. These results were correlated with cytology, FCM analysis and the histological examination. FCM was more sensitive than cytology (100 versus 59%) but less specific (67 versus 83.5%) whereas the histological observation of complete spermatogenesis appeared to be less sensitive (50%) but more specific (100%). CONCLUSION: Detection of seminal haploid cells by FCM appears to be an interesting non-invasive technique which can predict TESE results and improve the management of NOA patients.
ISSN:0268-1161
1460-2350
DOI:10.1093/humrep/deh883