[Induction of spermatogenesis in patients with non-obstructive azoospermia after antegrade sclerotherapy].

Abstract

PURPOSE:

The aim of this study was to prove the efficacy of antegrade sclerotherapy for varicocele testis in patients with azoospermia and in patients with cryptozoospermia (less than 0.1 million spermatozoons/mL ejaculate). We have investigated the induction of spermatogenesis in patients with non-obstructive azoospermia after antegrade sclerotherapy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

20 consecutive patients who had been trying to beget a child over a period of one year or longer were chosen for this study. All patients suffered from non-obstructive azoospermia or from cryptozoospermia. We produced a control spermiogram for each patient before, 3 and 6 months after antegrade sclerotherapy. The postoperative spermiogram was done according to WHO criteria and was then compared to the preoperative data.

RESULTS:

15 patients (75 %) were found to suffer from azoospermia preoperatively and 5 patients (25 %) from cryptozoospermia. Out of the 15 patients with initial azoospermia 8 (53 %) showed cryptozoospermia (OAT/OT syndrome) after antegrade sclerotherapy. Out of the 5 patients with the initial cryptozoospermia 3 (60 %) showed an improvement in the sperm count and motility criteria.

CONCLUSIONS:

Antegrade sclerotherapy for varicocele testis is a valid treatment option to isolate the spermatozoons from the ejaculate for extracorporeal fertilisation in patients with non-obstructive azoospermia. Complete normalisation of the spermiogram parameters, i.e., sufficient for natural child conception, cannot safely be achieved by this method.

• Authors: D K Osmonov, C van der Horst, T Weyel, M Danilevicius, P M Braun, P Alken, K P Jünemann, F J Martinez Portillo
• Journal: Aktuelle Urologie (Aktuelle Urol) Vol. 37 Issue 2 Pg. 132-7 (Mar 2006) ISSN: 0001-7868 [Print] Germany
• Vernacular Title: Induktion der Spermiogenese nach antegrader Varikozelensklerosierung bei Patienten mit nicht-obstruktiver Azoospermie.
• PMID: 16625470 (Publication Type: English Abstract, Journal Article)

Topics

• Adult
• Follow-Up Studies
• Humans
• Infertility, Male (etiology, therapy)
• Male
• Oligospermia (etiology, therapy)
• Sclerotherapy
• Sperm Count
• Sperm Motility (physiology)
• Spermatogenesis (physiology)
• Treatment Outcome
• Varicocele (complications, therapy)