PURPOSE: Our purpose was to determine the obstructed epididymal epithelium morphometric state and to elucidate the influence of morphometric parameters on the fertilizing ability of aspirated spermatozoa. METHODS: During MESA with IVF, epididymal tissue samples were carefully dissected, fixed, and prepared for morphometric analysis. The epithelium of the three regions was studied: head, body, and tail (when present). The total area/luminal area ratio, epithelium thickness, and stereocilium length were measured. RESULTS: We have found significant differences in the total area/luminal area ratio, epithelium thickness, and stereocilium length in obstructed epithelium length > 4 versus 0.5-2 cm (P < or = 0.01). Epithelium thickness and stereocilium length were significantly lower when no fertilization was observed in IVF. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that morphometric data of obstructed epididymis epithelium can be used as a means of explaining the failure of IVF with epididymal spermatozoa.
PURPOSE: Our purpose was to determine the obstructed epididymal epithelium morphometric state and to elucidate the influence of morphometric parameters on the fertilizing ability of aspirated spermatozoa. METHODS: During MESA with IVF, epididymal tissue samples were carefully dissected, fixed, and prepared for morphometric analysis. The epithelium of the three regions was studied: head, body, and tail (when present). The total area/luminal area ratio, epithelium thickness, and stereocilium length were measured. RESULTS: We have found significant differences in the total area/luminal area ratio, epithelium thickness, and stereocilium length in obstructed epithelium length > 4 versus 0.5-2 cm (P < or = 0.01). Epithelium thickness and stereocilium length were significantly lower when no fertilization was observed in IVF. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that morphometric data of obstructed epididymis epithelium can be used as a means of explaining the failure of IVF with epididymal spermatozoa.