A simplification of a new scoring system for rapid testicular biopsy evaluation

A simplification of an existing new scoring technique for testicular biopsy evaluation is described. In this technique, the specimen is searched microscopically and thereby scored between 0 and 5 for each one of the following parameter qualities: diameter of the tubules, thickness of the basal membrane of the tubules, cellular population within tubules, and degree of spermatogenesis within the tubules. The sum of the individual scorings of these four parameters is the final scoring of the specimen. Scoring of 15 testicular biopsies evaluated by this technique was compared with those obtained by the original technique. In the latter, scoring is evaluated by calculating the average score after each one of 100 tubuli is scored separately. Only minor differences were found between scores of these two techniques. This easily performed and reliable technique can describe some of the azoospermic syndromes by figures and enables us to compare various biopsies for clinical and research purposes. It can also help in the prognosis of the oligospermic patient who has undergone testicular biopsy before being treated.