Clinical, endocrinological and histopathological patterns of infertile Saudi men subjected to testicular biopsy: A retrospective study from a single center

PURPOSE: To evaluate the outcome of testicular biopsies as well as the etiology of azoospermia and severe oligospermia in Saudi men referred for tertiary care. To correlate testicular histology with patients’ clinical and hormonal profiles. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Charts of men subjected to testicular biopsies in the last 10-year period were retrospectively reviewed. Relative history and physical examination findings were reported. Results of male fertility profile tests and semen analysis of at least two ejaculates were collected. Reported histopathology was obtained. RESULTS: Reports of 229 patients were included; 199 (86.9%) with azoospermia and 30 (13.1%) with severe oligospermia. The mean (SD) age was 30.6 (6.4) years. A small right or left testis was reported in 88 (38.4%) and 87 (38%) of the patients, respectively. The mean (SD) testosterone and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) values were 17.2 (7.2) nmol/L and 13.1 (10.9) IU/L, respectively. Hypospermatogenesis was the most common histology encountered (36.5%), followed by Sertoli cell-only (SCO) histology (31.5%). Low testicular volume (P = 0.000), high FSH (P = 0.001) and high leutenizing hormone (LH) (P = 0.001) were found to be of significantly adverse effect on spermatogenesis. Despite having bilateral small testes, high serum FSH and LH, 24.3% of our patients showed active spermatogenesis. CONCLUSIONS: Hypospermatogenesis was the most common pattern of spermatogenic defect in our patients. SCO histology was the most common pattern in patients with small testes, primary testicular failure, primary infertility and azoospermia. Low testicular volume, high FSH and LH are significantly associated with impaired spermatogenesis. Even with severe male factor infertility disorders, infertile men can have some spermatogenesis.