Factors predicting successful sperm retrieval in men with nonobstructive Azoospermia: A single center perspective

Health Sci Rep. 2022 Jul 21;5(4):e727. doi: 10.1002/hsr2.727. eCollection 2022 Jul.

Abstract

Predicting successful sperm retrieval is essential in counseling infertile men with Azoospermia.

Objectives: To assess the predictors of successful sperm extraction in men with nonobstructive Azoospermia.

Patients and methods: A retrospective study included all patients with nonobstructive Azoospermia from January 2018 to May 2019. Subdivided into two groups, group I (negative sperm retrieval) and group II (positive sperm retrieval).

Results: A total of 108 patients with a mean age of 36.8 ± 10 years were included. The rate of successful sperm retrieval was 47.2%. Group I included 57 patients (52.8%) with a mean age of 33.98 ± 6.18, and group II included 51 patients (47.2%) with a mean age of 40.04 ± 12.22 (p = 0.008). Follicular stimulating hormone (FSH) levels were significantly higher in group I (18.55 ± 13 vs. 7.97 ± 7.11; p < 0.004). Similarly, in group I, luteinizing hormone was significantly higher (11.4 ± 7.45 vs. 5.9 ± 4.4; p < 0.001). Age and FSH were the independent predictors of successful micro-TESE. Additionally, successful pregnancies were 13.7% of patients, 28.6% of which gave rise to living birth.

Conclusion: Patients' age and serum FSH are independent predictors of successful sperm retrieval for infertile men with nonobstructive Azoospermia; young patients with high FSH levels could have little chance of sperm retrieval.

Keywords: Azoospermia; infertility; microsurgical testicular sperm extraction; nonobstructive; sperm retrieval; testicular sperm extraction.