Objective: To study the sperm retrieval rate by microsurgical testicular sperm extraction (Micro-TESE) in familial idiopathic non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA).
Study design: This is a cohort retrospective study.
Interventions: The study including 115 patients with idiopathic NOA who underwent micro-TESE over the past 5 years. Medical records of these patients were reviewed. Patients were then divided into two groups; Group "A" with familial idiopathic NOA and Group "B" with non-familial idiopathic NOA. Clinical data as well as data of micro-TESE were recorded.
Main outcome measure(s): Testicular sperm retrieval rate in both groups.
Results: Group "A" included the members of seven families, each family contains two brothers (total=14 patients). Group "B" consisted of 101 patients. There was no statistically significant difference in the patients' demographics between the two groups. Also there was no difference between both groups as regards testicular size, FSH, LH, testosterone and prolactin. In group "A" sperm retrieved rate was 14.29% (2/14 patients) compared to 43.56% in group "B" (44/101patients) (p= <0.05). The two patients in group "A" with successful sperm retrieval belonged to one family. The histopathological diagnosis was the same in the brothers in each family.
0>Conclusions: The testicular sperm retrieval rate in familial idiopathic NOA is significantly lower than in non-familial idiopathic NOA.