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Related Concept Videos

Infertility in Males01:23

Infertility in Males

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Male infertility affects millions of couples worldwide, arising from various factors that impact different stages of the reproductive process. An endocrine imbalance resulting from conditions like hypogonadism, Klinefelter syndrome, or pituitary disorders can disrupt hormone levels and reduce sperm production. Testicular defects, such as tumors, cryptorchidism, atrophic testes, abnormal sperm morphology, and low sperm count or motility, may arise due to genetic factors, structural...
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Disorders of the Male Reproductive System01:20

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Men's health issues are increasingly recognized as significant, with several conditions posing common threats. Among these, testicular cancer is especially prevalent in younger men, particularly those aged 20 to 35 years. The disease often manifests as a painless mass in the testicles, sometimes accompanied by a sensation of heaviness or a dull ache.
Prostate disorders are another major concern. These conditions can impair urinary flow due to the prostate's location around the urethra....
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Oogenesis02:07

Oogenesis

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In human women, oogenesis produces one mature egg cell or ovum for every precursor cell that enters meiosis. This process differs in two unique ways from the equivalent procedure of spermatogenesis in males. First, meiotic divisions during oogenesis are asymmetric, meaning that a large oocyte (containing most of the cytoplasm) and minor polar body are produced as a result of meiosis I, and again following meiosis II. Since only oocytes will go on to form embryos if fertilized, this unequal...
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Spermatogenesis01:41

Spermatogenesis

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Spermatogenesis is the process by which haploid sperm cells are produced in the male testes. It starts with stem cells located close to the outer rim of seminiferous tubules. These spermatogonial stem cells divide asymmetrically to give rise to additional stem cells (meaning that these structures “self-renew”), as well as sperm progenitors, called spermatocytes. Importantly, this method of asymmetric mitotic division maintains a population of spermatogonial stem cells in the male...
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Fertilization01:38

Fertilization

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During fertilization, an egg and sperm cell fuse to create a new diploid structure. In humans, the process occurs once the egg has been released from the ovary, and travels into the fallopian tubes. The process requires several key steps: 1) sperm present in the genital tract must locate the egg; 2) once there, sperm need to release enzymes to help them burrow through the protective zona pellucida of the egg; and 3) the membranes of a single sperm cell and egg must fuse, with the sperm...
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Infertility in Females01:28

Infertility in Females

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Female infertility is defined as the inability to conceive after a year of regular, unprotected intercourse and affects about 10–15% of couples worldwide. The primary cause of female infertility is ovulatory disorders, which hinder the release of eggs. These disorders can be classified as hypothalamic amenorrhea, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), premature ovarian failure, and hyperprolactinemic anovulation disorders.
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Updated: May 5, 2026

Vessel-Sparing Microsurgical Longitudinal Intussusception Vasoepididymostomy to Treat Epididymal Obstructive Azoospermia
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Obstructive azoospermia.

Matthew S Wosnitzer1, Marc Goldstein

  • 1Center for Male Reproductive Medicine and Surgery, Department of Urology and Institute for Reproductive Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College of Cornell University, 525 East 68th Street, Starr 9, New York, NY 10065, USA.

The Urologic Clinics of North America
|November 30, 2013
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Obstructive azoospermia, a blockage in sperm ducts, affects 40% of male infertility cases. Diagnosis and treatment, including microsurgery and IVF/ICSI, offer excellent prospects for successful conception.

Keywords:
Ejaculatory duct obstructionEpididymal obstructionMicrosurgical epididymal sperm aspirationObstructive azoospermiaTransurethral resection of ejaculatory ductsVasal obstructionVasoepididymostomyVasovasostomy

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Area of Science:

  • Reproductive Medicine
  • Urology
  • Andrology

Background:

  • Obstructive azoospermia (OA) comprises 40% of all azoospermia cases.
  • It stems from blockages in the male excurrent reproductive ducts, from the rete testis to the ejaculatory ducts.
  • Causes for obstruction are varied and can occur at any point along these ducts.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To outline a diagnostic strategy for obstructive azoospermia.
  • To differentiate obstructive azoospermia from non-obstructive forms.
  • To present current management and treatment options for patients with OA.

Main Methods:

  • A stepwise diagnostic approach is essential.
  • Utilizes patient history, physical examination, and potentially laboratory, genetic, and imaging tests.
  • Intraoperative findings aid in localizing the obstruction site.

Main Results:

  • Recent advancements in microsurgery and assisted reproductive technologies (ART) like IVF/ICSI have significantly improved outcomes.
  • Microsurgical reconstruction techniques offer high success rates, enabling natural pregnancies for some couples.
  • For cases where reconstruction is not feasible, microsurgical sperm retrieval combined with IVF/ICSI provides excellent fertility options.

Conclusions:

  • The diagnostic pathway for OA is crucial for effective management.
  • Microsurgical interventions and ART have revolutionized the treatment of obstructive azoospermia.
  • Patients with OA have favorable prognoses, with multiple avenues for achieving parenthood.