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Chapter 3 - Testicular Histopathology and the Role of Testis Biopsy

from Part I - Introduction

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 April 2021

By
Gianmartin Cito
Edited by
Ashok Agarwal ,
Ahmad Majzoub  and
Sandro C. Esteves
Ashok Agarwal
Affiliation:
The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH, USA
Ahmad Majzoub
Affiliation:
Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
Sandro C. Esteves
Affiliation:
Andrology & Human Reproduction Clinic, Sao Paulo, Brazil
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Summary

Testicular histopathology has been found to be the most reliable predictive factor of successful sperm retrieval in nonobstructive azoospermia patients. Some studies have proposed performing a diagnostic biopsy before assisted reproductive technology. However, its application in clinical practice has been debated due to some criticisms, including its cost-ineffective nature. Another important advantage of histopathology is the revealing of germ cell neoplasia in situ, which occurs in 1–3 percent of infertile patients. Testicular histopathology also offers important information in cases of failed sperm retrieval. When areas of active spermatogenesis are found, the histological pattern could guide the clinician in choosing the more suitable therapeutic option.

Keywords

azoospermiahistologymale infertilitysperm retrievaltestis
Type
Chapter
Information
Manual of Sperm Retrieval and Preparation in Human Assisted Reproduction , pp. 16 - 19
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2021

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