Quantitative karyological analysis of immature germ cells for the evaluation of spermatogenesis in patients with azoospermia or cryptozoospermia

Abstract

The study objective is to evaluate spermatogenesis using the method of quantitative karyological analysis of immature germ cells from the ejaculate sediment (QKAIGC) in patients with azoospermia or cryptozoospermia with normal and low semen volume.Materials and methods. Seventy-two (72) semen samples from patients with suspected azoospermia were analyzed, 48 with normal semen volume (≥1,5 ml) and 24 with low semen volume (<1,5 ml). A standard semen examination and QKA IGC were performed for all the samples.Results. By QKA IGC in 98.6 % of the samples spermatozoa were detected. In 16 (33 %) samples with normal ejaculate volume, incomplete spermatogenesis arrest at the pre-pachytene stages was revealed. It was accompanied by pachytene arrest (8 cases) and by diplotene arrest (3 cases). In samples with low ejaculate volume, 6 samples (25 %) showed signs of incomplete spermatogenesis arrest at the pre-pachytene stages; in 1 case it was accompanied by the meiotic arrest at diplotene of prophase I.Conclusion. Noninvasiveness, relative rapidity and possibility of multiple repeats of the test without risks for the patients’ health allow us to recommend QKA IGC for evaluation of spermatogenesis including dynamic evaluation. For suspected azoospermia, we recommend QKA IGC as an alternative for testis diagnostic biopsy.

Keywords

• azoospermia
• cryptozoospermia
• meiosis
• male infertility
• germ cells
• spermatogenesis
• ejaculate