Serial ultrasonography, hormonal profile and antisperm antibody response after testicular sperm aspiration
Open Access
- 1 December 2001
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Oxford University Press (OUP) in Human Reproduction
- Vol. 16 (12), 2621-2627
- https://doi.org/10.1093/humrep/16.12.2621
Abstract
BACKGROUND: In many fertility centres, intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) with epididymal or testicular spermatozoa is a routine treatment for men with azoospermia. In this prospective study, the physiological consequences after testicular sperm aspiration (TESA), using suction and a 19 gauge needle, were evaluated. METHODS AND RESULTS: Thirty-five consecutive men with azoospermia underwent TESA. Testicular ultrasonography with Doppler flow imaging was performed and testicular volumes were evaluated pre-operatively and 3 months after aspiration. If focal testicular lesions were found, further examinations were performed 6 and 9 months after TESA. Serum FSH, testosterone and antisperm antibodies (ASA) were analysed. Focal testicular lesions were seen in four out of 61 testes (6.6%) at the 3 month investigation point. Three lesions were resolved after 6 months and all after 9 months. Testicular echogenicity remained unchanged in 50 cases (82%) 3 months after TESA. Four men (11.4%) reported severe subjective discomfort post-operatively, but only one had a medical consultation where an intratesticular haematoma was diagnosed. There were no significant changes in FSH and testosterone after surgery and testicular volumes were similar after 3 months. There were three borderline cases of ASA in serum, but none was classified as ASA-positive. CONCLUSIONS: The puncture method of testicular sperm aspiration seems to be a safe method for sperm retrieval, with minimal physiological consequences.Keywords
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