[Evaluation of testicular biopsy in subfertile men based on semithin-section preparations]

The semithin-section technique represents an advanced light-microscopic method which furthers the investigation of development in spermatogenesis and the associated disturbances in subfertile men. This is demonstrated using examples in which the histological findings from paraffin-section preparations have been compared to the semithin-sections preparations from the same patient. In contrast to the paraffin-section technique, the various appearances of the spermatid malformations in patients with oligozoospermia can be assessed with the semithin-section technique. The therapeutic prospects of success depend on the type and extent of such malformations. In addition, semithin-section preparations from a testicular biopsy in subfertile patients can be used to identify tumor cells. For these reasons, because of the implications of a grave diagnosis and the resulting therapeutic consequences, the semithin-section technique is recommended as a routine method in the assessment of testicular biopsies.