Testicular sperm extraction in non-obstructive azoospermia associated with cryptorchidism

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the sperm retrieval rate (SRR) in non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) associated with cryptorchidism and the effect of age at orchidopexy on SRR. Methods A total of 33 NOA after cryptorchidism (inguinal) and 46 NOA without cryptorchidism (as control) matched for testicular volume, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels. The NOA after cryptorchidism underwent microdissection of testicular sperm extraction (MD-TESE) from September 2012 to March 2014. The SRR and testicular histology between the two groups were compared. The effect of age at orchidopexy (Group A: age 10 and younger; Group B: age older than 10) on testicular volume, hormone levels (FSH and LH) and SRR were analyzed. Results The SRR in NOA after cryptorchidism (70%, 23/33) was significantly higher than that in control group (46%, 21/46) (P 0.05). Conclusions The SRR is significantly higher in NOA after cryptorchidism than that in NOA without cryptorchidism, and it might be the result of better histology in NOA associated with cryptorchidism. The age at orchidopexy shows no correlations with testicular volume, hormone levels and SRR in NOA after cryptorchidism. Key words: Cryptorchidism; Non-obstructive azoospermia; Sperm retrieval rate; Orchidopexy