Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine the predictive value and use of noninvasive, pre-operative estimation of serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) on sperm retrieval rate (SRR) during microdissection testicular sperm extraction (mTESE) in patients with non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA).
Materials and Methods: A retrospective review of the charts of 74 patients (mean age of 36.7 +/- 6.7 years) with NOA who underwent mTESE was performed. Pm-operative serum levels of FSH, total testosterone, luteinizing honnone (LH), estradiol, prolactin and mTESE results were analyzed. Patients were divided into two groups according to the mTESE Results: Group A (positive sperm retrieval) and Group B (negative sperm retrieval).
Results: Group A (positive sperm retrieval) and Group B (negative sperm retrieval). Results: Sperm was retrieved from 29 patients (positive SRR 39%). The mean serum FSH levels were 24.83 +/- 10.09 mIU/mL in Group A and 31 +/- 4.24 mIU/mL in Group B, without statistically significant differences between the two groups (P>0.05). In addition, there were no observed statistically significant differences between the two groups regarding serum LH, total testosterone, estradiol and prolactin levels.
Conclusion: The study found that pre-operative measurement of serum FSH level has no significant predictive value on SRR at mTESE in men with NOA.