MicroRNA profile comparison of testicular tissues derived from successful and unsuccessful microdissection testicular sperm extraction retrieval in non-obstructive azoospermia patients

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 671 ◽  
Author(s):  
Na Fang ◽  
Congcong Cao ◽  
Yujiao Wen ◽  
Xiaoli Wang ◽  
Shuiqiao Yuan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Assisted Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Predictive Biomarkers ◽  
Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Small Rna Sequencing ◽  
Testicular Sperm Extraction ◽  
Obstructive Azoospermia ◽  
Testicular Sperm ◽  
Sperm Retrieval ◽  
Altered Expression ◽  
Pathway Analyses

Non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) is the most severe clinical diagnosis in cases of male infertility. Although in some cases of NOA spermatozoa can be retrieved by microdissection testicular sperm extraction (micro-TESE) to fertilise eggs through intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), there remains a lack of potential biomarkers for non-invasive diagnosis before micro-TESE surgery. To determine predictive biomarkers for successful sperm retrieval before micro-TESE, the aim of this study was to explore whether microRNAs (miRNAs) were differentially expressed in testicular tissues in NOA patients in whom sperm retrieval had been successful (SSR) versus those in whom it had been unsuccessful (USR) using next-generation small RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq). In all, 180 miRNAs were identified with significantly altered expression levels between SSR and USR testicular tissues. Of these, the expression of 13 miRNAs was upregulated and that of 167 miRNAs was downregulated in the USR compared with SSR group. Unexpectedly, 86 testicular miRNAs were found to be completely absent in the USR group, but showed high expression in the SSR group, suggesting that these miRNAs may serve as biomarkers for micro-TESE and may also play an essential role in spermatogenesis. Furthermore, Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses indicated that the miRNAs that differed significantly between the USR and SSR groups were involved in cell apoptosis, proliferation and differentiation, which are of considerable importance during spermatogenesis. In summary, this study identified a panel of miRNAs highly expressed in testicular tissues of SSR but not USR NOA patients, providing new insights into specific miRNAs that may play important roles in epigenetic regulation during spermatogenesis. The findings provide a basis for further elucidation of the regulatory role of miRNAs in spermatogenesis and clues to identifying useful biomarkers to predict residual spermatogenic loci in NOA patients during treatment with assisted reproductive technologies.

scholarly journals Sperm Selection Procedures for Optimizing the Outcome of ICSI in Patients with NOA

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 2687
Author(s):  
Kaan Aydos ◽  
Oya Sena Aydos
Keyword(s):  
In Vitro Selection ◽  
Assisted Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Testicular Sperm Extraction ◽  
Obstructive Azoospermia ◽  
Sperm Retrieval ◽  
Vitro Fertilization ◽  
Great Hope ◽  
Future Fertility

Retrieving spermatozoa from the testicles has been a great hope for patients with non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA), but relevant methods have not yet been developed to the level necessary to provide resolutions for all cases of NOA. Although performing testicular sperm extraction under microscopic magnification has increased sperm retrieval rates, in vitro selection and processing of quality sperm plays an essential role in the success of in vitro fertilization. Moreover, sperm cryopreservation is widely used in assisted reproductive technologies, whether for therapeutic purposes or for future fertility preservation. In recent years, there have been new developments using advanced technologies to freeze and preserve even very small numbers of sperm for which conventional techniques are inadequate. The present review provides an up-to-date summary of current strategies for maximizing sperm recovery from surgically obtained testicular samples and, as an extension, optimization of in vitro sperm processing techniques in the management of NOA.

scholarly journals Microfluidic Systems for Isolation of Spermatozoa from Testicular Specimens of Non-Obstructive Azoospermic Men: Does/Can It Improve Sperm Yield?

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (16) ◽  
pp. 3667
Author(s):  
Gary D. Smith ◽  
Clementina Cantatore ◽  
Dana A. Ohl
Keyword(s):  
Assisted Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Initial Time ◽  
Seminiferous Tubules ◽  
Testicular Sperm Extraction ◽  
Obstructive Azoospermia ◽  
Testicular Sperm ◽  
Laboratory Techniques ◽  
Sperm Aspiration ◽  
Testicular Sperm Aspiration

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) has allowed reproduction options through assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) for men with no spermatozoa within the ejaculate (azoospermia). In men with non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA), the options for spermatozoa retrieval are testicular sperm extraction (TESE), testicular sperm aspiration (TESA), or micro-surgical sperm extraction (microTESE). At the initial time of spermatozoa removal from the testis, spermatozoa are immobile. Independent of the means of spermatozoa retrieval, the subsequent steps of removing spermatozoa from seminiferous tubules, determining spermatozoa viability, identifying enough spermatozoa for oocyte injections, and isolating viable spermatozoa for injection are currently performed manually by laboratory microscopic dissection and collection. These laboratory techniques are highly labor-intensive, with yield unknown, have an unpredictable efficiency and/or success rate, and are subject to inter-laboratory personnel and intra-laboratory variability. Here, we consider the potential utility, benefits, and shortcomings of developing technologies such as motility induction/stimulants, microfluidics, dielectrophoresis, and cell sorting as andrological laboratory add-ons to reduce the technical burdens and variabilities in viable spermatozoa isolation from testicular samples in men with NOA.

Can Testicular Size Be a Predictive Factor for Successful Sperm Retrieval in Patients with Non Obstructive Azoospermia?

2019 ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Omer Yumusak ◽  
Mehmet Cinar ◽  
Serkan Kahyaoglu ◽  
Yasemin Tasci ◽  
Gul Nihal Buyuk ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Follicle Stimulating Hormone ◽  
Significant Risk ◽  
High Serum ◽  
Testicular Volume ◽  
Testicular Sperm Extraction ◽  
Total Testosterone ◽  
Obstructive Azoospermia ◽  
Testicular Sperm ◽  
Sperm Retrieval ◽  
Stimulating Hormone

<p><strong>Objective:</strong> Non-obstructive azoospermia, defined as absence of spermatozoa in the ejaculate caused by impaired spermatogenesis, is the most severe cause of male infertility. It is typically presented as high serum follicle stimulating hormone levels and atrophic testis. The combination of intracytoplasmic sperm injection and Microdissection testicular sperm extraction allows these infertile men the opportunity to have their own children from their own testis. Our aim was to evaluate the outcomes of micro-Testicular sperm extraction in men with atrophic testis.</p><p><strong>Study Design:</strong> The medical records of 80 non-obstructive men with azoospermia who underwent micro-TESE were retrospectively evaluated. We assessed clinical parameters; age, duration of infertility, smoking, chromosomal karyotype, Y chromosome microdeletion, follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, total testosterone and testicular volume in relation with Microdissection testicular sperm extraction results.</p><p><strong>Results:</strong> Testicular sperm retrieval rate was 53% in 80 patients. Testicular volume, serum follicle stimulating hormone and total testosterone concentrations showed correlation with the results of sperm retrieval. These three parameters were found to be significant risk factors with testicular sperm extraction negative patients (p&lt;0.001). The odds ratios (95% CI) were 6.39 (1.25–26.58), 1.24 (1.11-1.36), 1.13 (0.99-1.21) respectively. Testicular volume was found to be a discriminative parameter in patients with negative sperm retrieval. The cut-off point was established as 6.75 ml for testicular volume with 88.1% sensitivity, 62.1% specificity.</p><p><strong>Conclusion:</strong> Microdissection testicular sperm extraction is the most effective procedure for patients with non-obstructive azoospermia. Testicular volume, serum follicle stimulating hormone and testosterone levels can be predictive factors for sperm retrieval in men with non-obstructive azoospermia.</p>

Predictive Factors for Sperm Retrieval in Males With Non-obstructive Azoospermia

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei-Hsun Hsu ◽  
Marcelo Chen ◽  
Pai-Kai Chiang ◽  
Wei-Kung Tsai ◽  
Allen W Chiu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sertoli Cell ◽  
Univariate Analysis ◽  
Multivariable Analysis ◽  
Testicular Volume ◽  
Testicular Sperm Extraction ◽  
Obstructive Azoospermia ◽  
Testicular Sperm ◽  
Sperm Retrieval ◽  
Retrieval Rate ◽  
Normal Spermatogenesis

Abstract The aim of the current study was to investigate the predictive markers for males with non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) before they received conventional testicular sperm extraction (cTESE) or microdissection testicular sperm extraction (microTESE). Between January 2010 and December 2020, a total of 56 patients who received cTESE or microTESE surgery at the Urology department of the MacKay Memorial Hospital were included. Our univariate analysis revealed that the following parameters was associated with sperm retrieval: Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), prolactin, testicular volume, histopathology of maturation arrest and Sertoli cell-only. The multivariate analysis showed that Sertoli cell-only was significantly less likely to harvest spermatozoa than normal spermatogenesis (OR = 0.03 (0.002-0.42); p = 0.01). A comparison of cTESE and microTESE revealed that the overall successful sperm retrieval rate was not significantly different between the two methods (74.1% vs. 58.6, p = 0.22). This study demonstrated that lower levels of FSH, LH and prolactin, and a higher testicular volume and better histopathology were associated with a higher sperm retrieval rate in the univariate analysis. In the multivariable analysis, only Sertoli cell-only syndrome appeared to have a significantly negative effect on the successful harvesting of sperm when compared with normal spermatogenesis.

scholarly journals Evaluation of Microdissection Testicular Sperm Extraction (mTESE), Outcomes and Predictive Factors in Ireland: The Gold Standard for Men with Non-Obstructive Azoospermia

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pat Rohan ◽  
Niamh Daly ◽  
Aoife O’Kelly ◽  
Martin O’Leary ◽  
Tim Dineen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gold Standard ◽  
Testicular Sperm Extraction ◽  
Obstructive Azoospermia ◽  
Testicular Sperm ◽  
Sperm Retrieval ◽  
Optimal Cutoff ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Retrieval Rate ◽  
Continue Research ◽  
The Mean

Background: Microdissection testicular sperm extraction (mTESE) is the gold standard approach in sperm retrieval in men with non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA). The purpose of the study was to assess the outcomes for Irish men who have undergone mTESE with a single surgeon. Methods: This is a retrospective, single cohort study. Thirty-four patients underwent mTESE between September 2015 and June 2019. A p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: In this study, sperm retrieval rate (SRR) was 47.06%. (16/34). The mean age in those who had retrieved sperm at mTESE was 37.9±2.6 years. Johnson Score (JS) and FSH were statistically different between successful and unsuccessful mTESE groups (p=0.017*10-5 and p=0.004, respectively). Optimal cutoff values for FSH, T and JS were 15 IU/L, 13 nmol/L and 5, respectively. The pregnancy rate was 63.64% (7/11) among men who went on to use mTESE sperm in an ICSI cycle. Conclusion: The combination of mTESE/Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is the best option available for men with NOA who prefer to achieve paternity using their own DNA. Given the overall SRRs in mTESE, it is imperative to continue research for a predictive model to better counsel azoospermic men regarding the use of mTESE. For this purpose, large, multicenter, randomized controlled trials are needed.

scholarly journals Letrozole before TESE in Non-Obstructive Azoospermia, Does It Affect Sperm Retrieval Rate, A Retrospective Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. p15
Author(s):  
Ghazi M. Al Edwan ◽  
Hammam H. Mansi ◽  
Ahmed Zuhier Al-Shalaby ◽  
Tareq Laith Al-Tell ◽  
Omar Nabeeh M. Atta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Adverse Effect ◽  
Body Mass Index ◽  
The Other ◽  
Testicular Sperm Extraction ◽  
Obstructive Azoospermia ◽  
Inclusion Criteria ◽  
Testicular Sperm ◽  
Sperm Retrieval ◽  
Hormonal Profile ◽  
Retrieval Rate

Objective: This study was designed to evaluate the effect of letrozole 2.5 mg, an aromatase inhibitor, on the sperm retrieval rate (SRR) by the testicular sperm extraction (TESE) procedures that was done for the treatment of males with non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA).Materials and methods: Data was collected retrospectively from males diagnosed with non-obstructive azoospermia who underwent TESE procedure in the duration between May 2010 until June, 2018. The collected data includes the age of the patient, body mass index (BMI), testicular volume, hormonal profile (FSH LH, prolactin, testosterone), and the use of letrozole preoperatively. Logistic regression was done to address the association of these parameters to the sperm’s retrieval rate.Results: The study screaned 145 patients. Eighty patients fit the inclusion criteria and thus they were statistically analyzed. The use of letrozole was associated with negative TESE outcome (p=0.006), odd (0.154) CI 0.04-0.579. The other factors had no significant correlation to the TESE results.Conclusion: The evidence in this study showed an adverse effect of letrozole use on TESE results of those with high FSH.

scholarly journals Endocrine Tests and/or Testicular Volume Are Not Predictive of Successful Sperm Retrieval by Multiple Testicular Sperm Extraction in Non-Obstructive Azoospermia

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Minh Tam Le ◽  
Thanh Tam Thi Nguyen ◽  
Dac Nguyen Nguyen ◽  
Nhu Quynh Thi Tran ◽  
Quoc Huy Vu Nguyen
Keyword(s):  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Testicular Volume ◽  
Testicular Sperm Extraction ◽  
Obstructive Azoospermia ◽  
Testicular Sperm ◽  
Sperm Retrieval ◽  
Sperm Aspiration ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Testicular Sperm Aspiration

Abstract Objectives: This study aimed to determine the role of pre-surgical markers in the prediction of sperm retrieval in infertile Vietnamese men with azoospermia. Patients and Methods:Retrospective descriptive analysis of 136 infertile men with azoospermia, examined from August 2014 to July 2018. Patients underwent stepwise surgical sperm retrieval via percutaneous epididymal sperm aspiration, testicular sperm aspiration then multiple testicular sperm extraction in up to 3 locations until sperm were detected. Factorswere analyzed to determine the prediction of sperm retrieval.Results: The overall success rate of sperm retrieval was 49.3% including 88.3% and 18.4% in the OA and NOA group, respectively. The results of sperm retrieval were significantly associated only with the OA and NOA group, not with endocrine test or testicular volume. We found no significant difference in the endocrine test and testicular volume’s result between successful and unsuccessful sperm retrieval in either group.Conclusions: Neither an endocrine test nor testicular volume should be used for predicting the results of surgical sperm retrieval in infertile Vietnamese males with azoospermia.

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