E K Steele1, J D Kelly, S E Lewis, J A McNally, J M Sloan, N McClure. 1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Queen's University of Belfast, Institute of Clinical Science, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK. N.mcclure@qub.ac.uk
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To assess the sperm yield and patient acceptability of Trucut needle testicular biopsy followed by seminiferous tubule milking. DESIGN: Prospective case analysis. SETTING: The Regional Fertility Center, Royal Maternity Hospital, Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom. PATIENT(S): Forty-one males with obstructive azoospermia (normal testicular volume and FSH and LH levels). INTERVENTION(S): Trucut needle testicular biopsies under local anesthetic with milking of the seminiferous tubules. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Quantitation of sperm retrieved per biopsy core and patient follow-up by questionnaire. RESULT(S): A mean of 105,634 sperm (range, 5,000-427,800) were retrieved, and the mean biopsy weight was 9.17 mg. Twenty-six subjects found the biopsy painless and 15 were pain-free after biopsy. CONCLUSION(S): The Trucut needle can be used in combination with seminiferous tubule milking to obtain large numbers of sperm in men with obstructive azoospermia.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the sperm yield and patient acceptability of Trucut needle testicular biopsy followed by seminiferous tubule milking. DESIGN: Prospective case analysis. SETTING: The Regional Fertility Center, Royal Maternity Hospital, Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom. PATIENT(S): Forty-one males with obstructive azoospermia (normal testicular volume and FSH and LH levels). INTERVENTION(S): Trucut needle testicular biopsies under local anesthetic with milking of the seminiferous tubules. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Quantitation of sperm retrieved per biopsy core and patient follow-up by questionnaire. RESULT(S): A mean of 105,634 sperm (range, 5,000-427,800) were retrieved, and the mean biopsy weight was 9.17 mg. Twenty-six subjects found the biopsy painless and 15 were pain-free after biopsy. CONCLUSION(S): The Trucut needle can be used in combination with seminiferous tubule milking to obtain large numbers of sperm in men with obstructive azoospermia.