Patterns of Testicular Histopathology in Egyptian Azoospermic Men

Testicular biopsy is considered the gold standard choice in reproductive practice with diagnostic and prognostic importance for Andrologists. Other markers such as serum androgens, FSH level and genetic tests for example cannot reliably differentiate between obstructive azoospermia (OA) and non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) and can't predict mature sperm retrieval during Testicular Sperm Extraction (TESE). Purpose: The present study aims to evaluate the percentage of sperm retrieval and the incidence of different testicular phenotypes in patients subjected to testicular biopsy exploration. Methods: One hundred and twenty-four patients were studied. Hematoxylin and Eosin staiend 5 microns paraffin sections were evaluated according to modified Johnsen scoring system. Results: The most common finding in this study was round spermatogenic arrest representing (27%) followed by hypospermatogenesis (22%). Sperm cells were retrieved from (40%) of patients/samples. In conclusion; Testicular biopsy is critical in determining both reproductive prognosis and therapeutic considerations for azospermic men.