[Results of testicular biopsy in azoospermia]

The causes of male infertility generally fall into three categories: pretesticular, testicular and posttesticular causes. The pretesticular causes are extragonadal endocrine disorders, such as those originating in the pituitary or the adrenals, which have an adverse effect on spermatogenesis. The testicular causes of infertility are conditions in which the primary defects reside in the testes. The posttesticular causes of infertility consist mainly of obstructions of the ducts leading away from the testes. Testicular biopsy is an important method in the diagnosis and management of male infertility.