Quantitation of spermatogenesis by DNA flow cytometry from fine-needle aspiration cytology material.

DNA flow cytometry (FCM) was performed from fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of testis in 15 cases of male infertility to quantitate spermatogenesis. The results were correlated with FNAC findings. DNA FCM showed a ploidy relationship of haploid (1N) > diploid (2N) > tetraploid (4N) in cases of normal spermatogenesis. A ploidy relation of 2N > 1N > 4N was observed in cases of hypospermatogenesis or maturation arrest. In Sertoli cell-only cases, there were only 2N populations of cells. With the help of DNA FCM, a rapid and objective assessment of spermatogenesis is possible from FNAC of the testis. Copyright 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.