Re: Testicular histopathological diagnosis as a predictive factor for retrieving spermatozoa for ICSI in non-obstructive azoospermic patients.

OBJECTIVE Histological testicular pattern has a predictive role in the possibility of finding spermatozoa for ICSI in cases of non-obstructive azoospermia because some individuals could show residual spermatogenic sites in the testis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the sperm retrieval rate in each of the histopathological groups (hypospermatogenesis--Hypo, spermatogenic maturation arrest--MA, Sertoli cell only--SCO and testicular hyalinization) in patients assisted in our clinic. MATERIALS AND METHODS Retrospective study from March 1997 to October 2002. We analyzed 14 patients with mean age of 34.3 +/- 0.7, with non-obstructive azoospermia. All patients were submitted to previous diagnostic biopsy (Bx) elsewhere and came to our institution for treatment. After an average of 12 months (8-20), they were submitted to a new Bx procedure to retrieve sperm. RESULTS Previous diagnostic Bx showed the following histopathological results: 5 patients with MA, 4 with Hypo and 5 SCO. In the following Bx (for sperm retrieval) spermatozoa was found in 33% of the procedures in patients with MA, 50% in patients with Hypo and 40% of the procedures in patients with SCO. CONCLUSION Previous diagnostic Bx can help in patient counseling concerning the result of sperm retrieval.