Related Experiment Videos
Intermittent azoospermia associated with epididymal sarcoidosis
D A Svetec1, R L Waguespack, E S Sabanegh
1Wilford Hall Medical Center, San Antonio, Texas 78236-5300, USA.
Fertility and Sterility
|October 31, 1998
Summary
Epididymal sarcoidosis can cause temporary infertility in men, with sperm counts fluctuating around steroid treatments. Early semen analysis and sperm banking are recommended for men with sarcoidosis and infertility.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Endocrinology
- Immunology
- Urology
Background:
- Sarcoidosis is a multisystem inflammatory disease characterized by non-caseating granulomas.
- Male reproductive tract involvement in sarcoidosis is uncommon but can lead to infertility.
Observation:
- A case of a 36-year-old male with secondary infertility and diagnosed epididymal sarcoidosis is presented.
- Sperm counts and epididymal pain fluctuated temporally with steroid courses used for pulmonary sarcoidosis flares.
Findings:
- Epididymal sarcoidosis can lead to intermittent azoospermia due to fluctuating ductal obstruction from granuloma activity.
- Steroid therapy for sarcoidosis may temporarily impact sperm production or epididymal function.
Implications:
- Patients with sarcoidosis should undergo semen analysis upon diagnosis to assess fertility status.
- Sperm banking should be considered for men with oligospermia or clinical epididymal involvement to preserve fertility for assisted reproductive techniques.