Testicular Biopsies of Azoospermic Men at The Lagos State University Teaching Hospital

ABSTRACT

Objectives: This study was conducted to evaluate the histological findings from testicular biopsies in azoospermic men seen at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital; Ikeja - Lagos; Nigeria. Patients and Methods: A retrospective study of testicular biopsies of azoospermic men who presented to our institution from 2005 to 2006 was performed. The patient's age; type of infertility and histopathological diagnosis were evaluted. All biopsies were preserved in 10formaldehyde solution. Results: Of the 51 azoospermic men (mean age 30 years; range 25 - 46 years) 25 (49.0) had primary infertility; 11 (21.6) had secondary infertility and 15 (29.0) were not specified. Five (9.8) patients had normal spermatogenesis. Abnormal histological parameters occurred in 46 (90.2) patients testicular atrophy in 30 (58.8); maturation arrest in 14 (27.5) and hypospermatogenesis in 2 (3.9) patients. Conclusion: The presence of normal spermatogenesis in azoospermic men; which would suggest an obstructive lesion; is not common in our practice; in contrast to previous studies from our country. This may indicate a changing pattern in the aetiology of male infertility in our environment. Identification of the possible causes of testicular damage resulting in non-obstructive azoospermia in our environment may help to prevent male infertility