Absence of chlamydial deoxyribonucleic acid from testicular and epididymal samples from men with obstructive azoospermia.

Objective: To identify Chlamydia trachomatis DNA by polymerase chain reaction in the upper genital tract of men with obstructive azoospermia compared with men seeking vasectomy reversal.

Design: Case-control study.

Setting: Tertiary referral center, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Aberdeen, United Kingdom.

Patient(s): Cases were men with idiopathic obstructive azoospermia, and controls were men with azoospermia secondary to vasectomy.

Intervention(s): Chlamydia trachomatis-specific DNA test by polymerase chain reaction on testicular and epididymal biopsy samples, as well as epididymal aspirate.

Main Outcome Measure(s): Presence of Chlamydia trachomatis DNA.

Result(s): We did not detect the presence of Chlamydia trachomatis-specific DNA by polymerase chain reaction in the epididymis or testis of 36 asymptomatic men with obstructive azoospermia (14 cases, 22 controls).

Conclusion(s): Our hypothesis that unrecognized, asymptomatic chlamydial infection will lead to complete bilateral obstruction of the male genital tract remains unproven.