Azoospermia and oligozoospermia etiology and clinical findings

Three hundred sixty infertile men with sperm counts below 10 million/ml have been through a complete clinical investigation. The most important etiological factors are discussed and the findings at the clinical examination of the genitalia externa and prostate/seminal vesicles are reported. Unilateral or bilateral small and/or soft testes were present in about 60% of the cases. The highest incidence of abnormalities at the examination of the genitals is in conformity with the poor semen qualities. About 50% of the patients had abnormal elevated follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) serum levels, indicating severe functional disorders in the germinal epithelium. Proper treatment is hardly available among these men, but it is important that, where possible, prophylactic measures are taken to avoid the condition developing.