Non-obstructive idiopathic azoospermia vs azoospermia with antecedents of cryptorchidism: ways and probabilities of becoming parents.

Background: Non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) with history of cryptorchidism and idiopathic NOA are the most common forms of NOA without genetic aetiology. Of all patients with one of these two types of NOA, only a few will have a positive TEsticular Sperm Extraction (TESE). Of those with positive extraction followed by sperm freezing, not all will have a child after TESE-ICSI.

Contribution of serum anti-Müllerian hormone in the management of azoospermia and the prediction of testicular sperm retrieval outcomes: a study of 155 adult men.

Background: Testicular sperm extraction (TESE) is the method of choice for recovering spermatozoa in patients with azoospermia. However, the lack of reliable biomarkers makes it impossible to predict sperm retrieval outcomes at TESE. To date, little attention has been given to anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) serum levels in adult men with altered spermatogenesis.

Bilateral versus unilateral cryptorchidism in nonobstructive azoospermia: Testicular sperm extraction outcomes.

Cryptorchidism is one of the most frequent causes of nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA) in adulthood. Although it is well known that spermatogenesis is more impaired in bilateral than in unilateral cryptorchidism, previous studies have only described small cohorts or inhomogeneous population. Consequently, we analyzed a cohort of 225 men with only a history of cryptorchidism as sole etiopathogenetic factor for NOA, and compared testicular sperm extraction (TESE) outcomes between men with bilateral versus unilateral cryptorchidism.

New insights into the morphological and hormonal characteristics of spermatogenic arrest.

The reported sperm retrieval rate (SRR) in patients with nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA) due to spermatogenic arrest (SA) is highly variable in the literature. This discrepancy could be explained by the heterogeneity of testicular tissues. Surprisingly, even though inhibin B levels reflect directly Sertoli cell function; no studies have evaluated this parameter in SA.

Defining the human sperm microtubulome: an integrated genomics approach.

Sperm motility notably depends on the structural integrity of the flagellum and the regulation of microtubule dynamics. Although researchers have started to use "omics" techniques to characterize the human sperm's molecular landscape, the constituents responsible for the assembly, organization, and dynamics of the flagellum microtubule have yet to be fully defined. In this study, we defined a core set of 116 gene products associated with the human sperm microtubulome (including products potentially involved in abnormal ciliary phenotypes and male infertility disorders).

Truncating Mutations in the Adhesion G Protein-Coupled Receptor G2 Gene ADGRG2 Cause an X-Linked Congenital Bilateral Absence of Vas Deferens.

In 80% of infertile men with obstructive azoospermia caused by a congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens (CBAVD), mutations are identified in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator gene (CFTR). For the remaining 20%, the origin of the CBAVD is unknown. A large cohort of azoospermic men with CBAVD was retrospectively reassessed with more stringent selection criteria based on consistent clinical data, complete description of semen and reproductive excurrent ducts, extensive CFTR testing, and kidney ultrasound examination.

Immunosuppressive drugs and fertility.

Immunosuppressive drugs are used in the treatment of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, as well as in transplantation. Frequently prescribed in young people, these treatments may have deleterious effects on fertility, pregnancy outcomes and the unborn child. This review aims to summarize the main gonadal side effects of immunosuppressants, to detail the effects on fertility and pregnancy of each class of drug, and to provide recommendations on the management of patients who are seen prior to starting or who are already receiving immunosuppressive treatment, allowing them in due course to bear children.

The serum inhibin B concentration and reference ranges in normozoospermia.

Objective: Although an inhibin B assay may be useful in the assessment of testicular function in a number of genital conditions, reliable reference ranges are still lacking. The present study sought to establish the reference range for serum inhibin B by applying the updated Gen II assay.

Design: This prospective study included 818 men referred for semen analysis: 377 were normozoospermic (reference group) and 441 presented at least one abnormal semen parameter (case group).

Sperm cryopreservation in adolescents and young adults with cancer: results of the French national sperm banking network (CECOS).

Objective: To determine the feasibility of fertility preservation in adolescent males with cancer.

Design: Large multicenter retrospective study of male patients ≤20 years from 23 centers of a national network of sperm banks over a 34-year period.

Setting: Sperm banks.

[Male contraception].

Contraception allows within a heterosexual couple to have a more fulfilling as possible sexuality while protecting against the occurrence of unintended pregnancy. In a majority of couples, contraception is assumed by women. Currently, male contraceptive methods most commonly used are the male condom and vasectomy.

Beneficial effects of varicocele embolization on semen parameters.

Background: The value of varicocele repair and the latter's impact on semen parameters are still subject to debate.

Methods: We analyse changes over time in initially abnormal sperm parameters and serum concentrations of testosterone, FSH and inhibin B after embolization treatment of males with high-grade varicocele. From 2007 to 2012, we recruited 47 male infertile patients with clinically visible left varicocele in the resting patient and at least one abnormal semen parameter.

Testicular-sparing surgery for bilateral or monorchide testicular tumours: a multicenter study of long-term oncological and functional results.

Objective: To review long-term oncological and functional outcomes of testicular-sparing surgery (TSS) in men presenting with bilateral or monorchide testicular tumours at one of five reference centres for testicular neoplasm and infertility.

Patients And Methods: We review 25 cases of bilateral synchrone and metachrone testicular tumours treated in five academic centres between 1984 and 2013. Clinical, biological, ultrasonography and pathological tumour findings, overall survival (OS) times, local or metastatic recurrence, pre- and postoperative hormonal profile, paternity and the need for androgen substitution were assessed.

Varicocele repair: does it still have a role in infertility treatment?

Purpose Of Review: To review the role of varicocele repair in the treatment of male infertility.

Recent Findings: Since the advent of technologies bypassing boundaries of natural selection, this question may seem outdated. Over the past 20 years, fertility has decreased, and testicular damage (cryptorchidism, tumors) has increased.

[Assessment of azoospermia and histological evaluation of spermatogenesis].

Azoospermia may be obstructive (blockage of the genital ducts) or non-obstructive (a lack of testicular production). The distinction is based on an ensemble of clinical, spermiological, hormonal, ultrasound, genetic and histological data. Azoospermia is the main indication for testicular biopsy for therapeutic and diagnostic purposes.

Seminal plasma levels of anti-Müllerian hormone and inhibin B are not predictive of testicular sperm retrieval in nonobstructive azoospermia: a study of 139 men.

Objective: To evaluate the seminal levels of the Sertoli anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and inhibin B in the testicular sperm extraction (TESE) in nonobstructive azoospermia.

Design: Prospective study.

Setting: Reproductive biology division in a university hospital.

[Role of deep seminal tract imaging in the diagnosis of unilateral agenesis of the vas deferens. Case report of a patient with CFTR gene mutation].

The authors report the cases of a 35-year-old man with a 4-year history of primary infertility with normal clinical examination and semen parameters. Deep genital tract imaging demonstrated isolated unilateral agenesis of the pelvic portion of the left vas deferens associated with abnormalities of the homolateral seminal vesicle. Molecular analysis of the CFTR gene demonstrated composite heterozygosity with the presence of DeltaF508 / V938G mutations.

[Infertility and testicular tumour based on a series of 25 patients].

Objectives: To evaluate the frequency of testicular tumours in infertile men and to specify their clinical, ultrasound and histological characteristics.

Material And Methods: Retrospective study of all partial or total orchidectomies performed between January 1995 and April 2004. During this period, 3,000 new patients consulted for assessment of infertility.

Cellular expression of protamine 1 and 2 transcripts in testicular spermatids from azoospermic men submitted to TESE-ICSI.

Testicular sperm extraction (TESE) combined with ICSI is used to treat azoospermia. However, the factors that influence the outcome of ICSI in this situation are ill-defined. We sought to investigate the expression of protamine 1 (PRM1) and protamine 2 (PRM2) transcripts in testicular spermatids from obstructive and non-obstructive azoospermic men with impaired spermatogenesis.