Ultrasonic texture and volume of testicles in infertile men

Ultrasound scanning of the testes and surgical biopsy were performed in 95 infertile men to evaluate the use of ultrasound in male infertility. Ultrasonic testicular volume was calculated using three measurements and the formula of an ellipsoid, and the ultrasonic texture was evaluated and given a score from 1 to 5, indicating increasing degrees of irregularity. The median score was 3 (range 1-5), which was higher than previously found in normal men (median score 2; range 1-5; P < 0.0001). The ultrasonic texture score was lower in testes with a uniform pattern of 100% spermatogenic tubules compared with the rest, both for the right (P < 0.001) and for the left (P < 0.0005) testis. Texture score was correlated with the number of obliterated tubules for both testes (P < 0.001). The mean ultrasonic testicular volume of the right testis was 10.30 ml, and that of the left 10.26 ml. Both were smaller compared with the findings in normal men (P < 0.0001). Ultrasonic testicular volume was negatively correlated with texture score (P < 0.001). A positive correlation between ultrasonic volume and sperm count was seen (P < 0.001). Sperm count was negatively correlated with texture score if calculated together with data from 119 men from the general population (P < 0.001). The study shows that ultrasonic volume and texture are valuable parameters in the evaluation of infertile men.