Azoospermia Type Does Not Affect Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection Results When Microdissection Testicular Sperm...

To investigate the effect of azoospermia type on fertilization and clinical pregnancy rates when microdissection testicular sperm extraction (TESE) is performed for sperm retrieval in nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA).

STUDY DESIGN: Patients who underwent microdissection TESE for NOA and conventional TESE for obstructive azoospermia (OA) were included in the study. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) results were compared between groups.

The mean ages in the 2 groups were similar. FSH and LH levels in the NOA group were significantly higher than those of the OA group. Between groups there was no statistically significant difference in testosterone levels. The sperm retrieval rate was 58.56% in NOA. Fertilization and clinical pregnancy rates were similar for patients with NOA and OA.

In patients with NOA, microdissection TESE accurately determines active spermatogenesis areas via the high identification power of the operative microscope. From these areas surgeons can collect healthier spermatozoa, which can result in better ICSI outcomes, the results of which are similar to those with OA.