Varicoceles

Effect of vas ligation on testicular sperm extraction results in nonobstructive azoospermic rats: Shaeer's lock-in technique

This study evaluates the efficacy of vas ligation in enhancing sperm retrieval in nonobstructive azoospermia cases, by accumulating intratesticular spermatozoa. Fifty-six mature male rats with equally sized testes were included in this study. Forty-six were in the study group, and 10 were in the control group. Bilateral testicular fine needle aspiration was performed for all, to confirm presence of spermatozoa in all testes. Nonobstructive azoospermia was induced in all 56 rats, using Dienogest (40 mg/kg) + Testosterone Undecanoate (25 mg/kg) every month for three months. Monthly aspirations confirmed nonobstructive azoospermia from all rats, within the three months treatment. This was followed by unilateral vas ligation and was performed for 46 rats of the study group, with no ligation performed in the control group. After a further period of 90 days (2 spermatogenic cycles) with the same medical treatment maintained, bilateral testicular sperm extraction was performed. Sperm retrieval was evaluated, comparing the outcome of vas-ligated testicles to the nonligated. Upon evaluation, spermatozoa were found in 14/46 of the vas-ligated testes (30.4%), compared to none of the nonligated (0/66), p = .0005. Ligation of the vas deferens in rats with nonobstructive azoospermia may enhance the results of sperm retrieval via sperm accumulation.

The epidemiology and etiology of azoospermia

The misconception that infertility is typically associated with the female is commonly faced in the management of infertile men. It is uncommon for a patient to present for an infertility evaluation with an abnormal semen analysis report before an extensive female partner workup has been performed. Additionally, a man is usually considered fertile based only on seminal parameters without a physical exam. This behavior may lead to a delay in both the exact diagnosis and in possible specific infertility treatment. Moreover, male factor infertility can result from an underlying medical condition that is often treatable but could possibly be life-threatening. The responsibility of male factor in couple's infertility has been exponentially rising in recent years due to a comprehensive evaluation of reproductive male function and improved diagnostic tools. Despite this improvement in diagnosis, azoospermia is always the most challenging topic associated with infertility treatment. Several conditions that interfere with spermatogenesis and reduce sperm production and quality can lead to azoospermia. Azoospermia may also occur because of a reproductive tract obstruction. Optimal management of patients with azoospermia requires a full understanding of the disease etiology. This review will discuss in detail the epidemiology and etiology of azoospermia. A thorough literature survey was performed using the Medline, EMBASE, BIOSIS, and Cochrane databases. We restricted the survey to clinical publications that were relevant to male infertility and azoospermia. Many of the recommendations included are not based on controlled studies.

Varicocèle et infertilité masculine : Recommandations Comité Andrologie - AFU 2006

The routine assessment of an infertile man with varicocele must comprise complete clinical interview including the patient's medical and reproductive history, physical examination and at least two sperm counts. Imaging examinations are not indicated to characterize the varicocele, except when physical examination is inconclusive. However; scrotal ultrasound can be useful in infertile men to detect concomitant diseases, especially testicular tumours. Treatment of varicocele must be proposed when all of the following conditions are present: 1) the varicocele is palpable; 2) the couple's infertility is documented; 3) there is no female infertility problem or this problem is potentially curable; 4) there is at least one abnormality of spermatic parameters on the sperm count. Treatment can also be proposed in men with palpable varicocele and spermatic abnormalities on the sperm count, even when they do not have any immediate plans to have a child. Young men with varicocele and a normal sperm count must be followed by sperm counts every one or two years. Treatment of varicocele must also be proposed to adolescents with varicocele and ipsilateral a reduction of testicular volume. Adolescents with varicocele associated with a normal-sized testis must be reviewed annually to measure testicular volume and/or sperm count when it can be performed. Surgery or percutaneous embolization are two possible treatment options for varicocele provided they are performed by a well trained and experienced operator. The treatment of varicocele can be considered to be first-line treatment in a patient with moderate oligo-astheno-teratospermia with no associated female infertility factor. IVF with or without ICSI can be considered to be first-line treatment in the presence of an independent female infertility factor requiring the use of these techniques. Concomitant treatment of varicocele can be considered to improve semen fertility. Persistence or relapse of varicocele can be treated by surgery or percutaneous embolization provided spermatic venography is performed to identify the site of persistent venous reflux. After treatment of varicocele, a sperm count must be performed approximately every three months for one year or until pregnancy is achieved.