Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Azoospermia is identified in approximately 1% of all men and in 10 to 15% of infertile males. A precise diagnosis of azoospermia and systematic evaluation of the patient to establish the disease etiology are needed to guide appropriate management options. The development of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) as an efficient therapy for severe male factor infertility has become an appropriate treatment for the majority of male reproductive tract deficiencies.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the hormonal profile and the etiology of non obstructive azoospermic men.

Materials: We conducted a prospective study from 2014 to 2015. Twenty four azoospermic patients were screened for medical history, physical exam, measurements of serum total testosterone and FSH, PRL, sperm analysis, genetic testing, and sometimes MRI.

Results: The mean age of our patients was 36.13 years. The FSH was high in 13 cases: four cases of cryptorchidism, one case of microdeletion AZFc, one case of thalassemia one case was a cook, and 2 cases work in radar. For the five remaining no etiology was found. The FSH was low in 4 cases: two adenoma, one hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism and one probably mutation of the FSH gene. Finally the FSH was in normal range in 7 cases: one case of empty sellae, one hyperprolactinoma, one cryptorchidism and one 47 XYY male syndrome.

Conclusion: In the past, men with azoospermia were classified as infertile, and a sperm donor was initially considered one of the best options for conceiving. Currently, the knowledge that many causes of azoospermia can be reversed is admitted from the medical profession. Therapeutic perspective as testicular sperm extraction and ICSI have changed the prognosis of azoospermia.