Testosterone levels among non-obstructive azoospermic patients 2 years after failed bilateral microdissection testicular sperm extraction: a nested case-cohort study.

Purpose: To define the risk of hypogonadism following microdissection testicular sperm extraction in cases of non-obstructive azoospermia. While sperm retrieval by open testicular sperm extraction can be associated with an increased risk of hypogonadism, there is limited data addressing which procedures and which patients harbor the greatest risk.

Methods: We report on a community-acquired, nested, case-cohort of non-obstructive azoospermic patients referred to one clinic after failed bilateral microdissection testicular sperm extraction.

A study of pregnancy rates in "cleared" male factor couples.

Background: Among couples with male factor infertility, the natural pregnancy rates associated with classic male factor treatments are well described. In couples with unexplained infertility, the proportion due to occult male factor is unclear. We hypothesized that many men diagnosed with unexplained infertility are actually fertile.

The evolution of testicular sperm extraction and preservation techniques.

Along with the advent of intracytoplasmic sperm injection in 1992, sperm retrieval procedures now allow the possibility of conception from male sterility. In cases of sterility due to blockages in the reproductive tract, sperm retrieval procedures are relatively straightforward and reliable. In nonobstructive azoospermia or testis failure, sperm often can be difficult to retrieve.