Age does not adversely affect sperm retrieval in men undergoing microdissection testicular sperm extraction
Sperm retrieval in men undergoing microdissection testicular sperm extraction (micro-TESE) was not negatively affected by age. Men 50 years old who underwent successful micro-TESE were more likely to have larger testes.
Authors
Ranjith Ramasamy, M.D., Nikunj N. Trivedi, B.S., Jennifer E. Reifsnyder, M.D., Gianpiero D. Palermo, M.D., Ph.D., Zev Rosenwaks, M.D., Peter N. Schlegel, M.D.
Volume 101, Issue 3, Pages 653-655, March 2014
Abstract
Objective:
To evaluate the effect of male age on the outcome of microdissection testicular sperm extraction (micro-TESE) and assisted reproductive technology.
Design:
Clinical retrospective study.
Setting:
Center for reproductive medicine at a tertiary university hospital.
Patient(s):
One thousand sixty-seven men with nonobstructive azoospermia.
Intervention(s):
Micro-TESE, with intracytoplasmic sperm injection when sperm found.
Main Outcome Measure(s):
Sperm retrieval and clinical pregnancy.
Result(s):
Sperm were successfully retrieved by micro-TESE in 605 men (56.6%) overall. Sperm retrieval rates (SRRs) were higher in men ≥50 years old than men <50, (73% in men ≥50, 56% in men <50). Of the 44 men ≥50 years old, men who had successful micro-TESE had larger mean testis volume (20.8 cc vs. 12.5 cc), a higher frequency of hypospermatogenesis (5.6% vs. 0%), and a lower frequency of Sertoli cells only (12.5% vs. 80%) on diagnostic biopsy. Clinical pregnancy rates were lower in partners of men ≥50 than in partners of men
Conclusion(s):
Overall, SRRs in men undergoing micro-TESE are not negatively affected by age. Despite successful sperm retrieval in older men with micro-TESE, couples have the best chance of clinical pregnancy with a female partner
Read the full text at: http://www.fertstert.org/article/S0015-0282(13)03383-9/fulltext
