Sperm retrieval and live birth rates in presumed Sertoli‐cell‐only syndrome in testis biopsy: a single centre experience

Abstract

SUMMARYWe aimed to investigate sperm retrieval rates (SRR) by testicular sperm extraction (TESE), factors affecting SRR, and fertilization rate (FR), implantation rate (IR), clinical pregnancy rate (CPR) and live birth rate (LBR) in patients with presumed Sertoli-cell-only syndrome in testis biopsy (SCOS). We retrospectively evaluated files of 134 patients with SCOS who underwent TESE. Group I were patients in whom spermatozoa were retrieved and Group II were patients in whom no spermatozoa could be retrieved. SRR, Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), Luteinizing hormone (LH), and testosterone levels, and the volume of testicles were compared between groups. In addition, FR, IR, CPR and LBR were determined. Sperm retrieval was achieved in 37 (27.6%) patients (Group I), and the remaining 97 (72.4%) patients made Group II. There were no significant differences in age, infertility time, testicular volume, serum FSH, LH and testosterone levels between Groups I and II (p > 0.05). Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) was performed in 36 patients. FR, IR, and CPR were 60.86 ± 23.03, 36.53 ± 41.78 and 51.3% respectively. Cycle and patient based LBRs were 37.8 and 45.1% respectively. SRR in SCOS is lower than patients with non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) in general. No parameters to predict spermatozoa retrieval were determined. In patients with SCOS, ICSI achieves similar live birth rate to other patients with NOA.

Effect of testicular spermatozoa on embryo quality and pregnancy in patients with non-obstructive azoospermia

“…We observed that once sperm was successfully obtained, spermatozoa from patients in the three subgroups (HS, MA, and SCO) did not yield significantly different laboratory results. These results agree with those of other reports [Abdel Raheem et al 2013;Gul et al 2013]. However, other studies have reported lower fertilization rates using spermatozoa obtained from men with MA vs. HS, as well as other differences using spermatozoa from men with MA vs. SCO, although these differences were not significant.…”

Impact of testicular histopathology as a predictor of sperm retrieval and pregnancy outcome in patients with nonobstructive azoospermia: correlation with clinical and hormonal factors

“…There is lack of study so far evaluating the impact of clinical and hormonal variables on SRR, PR and LBR in each common testicular histological subsets of NOA, separately. Only a recent study investigated the role of age, infertility period, FSH levels and testosterone levels on SRR, PR and LBR in only SCO group of NOA and they found none of these factors have an impact on the TESE and ICSI outcomes in SCO (Gul et al ., ). Similarly, in our study, there was no statistically significant relation between these variables and SRR, motile SRR and PR in this testicular histology, particularly.…”

Etiology of Azoospermia in a Military Population

“…For example, SCOS patients and men with KS have shown SSRs around 30%. 13,18 This data not only delineates the etiology of azoospermia among a large group of men, it also allows early prognostic information on initial evaluation of azoospermic men. This is vital in reassuring the patient that a cause and treatment for the condition can often be identified.…”

“…[12][13][14][15][16] Historically, testicular biopsy was used to predict the success of SSR. 17 However, this procedure in a diagnostic setting only is now thought to be invasive and unnecessary, and may even hamper success rates for later SSR.…”