[Cytologic diagnosis of azoospermia]

Pathology and Cytology departments are making increasing use of cytological examination of the semen as an aid to the diagnosis and prognosis of male infertility. Even in cases where it may seem superfluous, as in azoospermia, it can be used to reveal the presence of immature reproductive cells indicating retarded maturation. It may also reveal a greater or lesser number of inflamed cells, indicating swelling of the spermatic vesicles. In this case the patient will be subjected to more specific tests (the Stamey EPS-EVS tests). Spermatic and prostatic vesicle cells are not often examined but this may be done to investigate the origin of the secretion and the site of any swelling.