OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of age, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels and testicular size (TS) on the success rate of sperm retrieval, achieved by testicular sperm extraction (TESE) technique, in non obstructive azoospermia (NOA).
PATIENTS AND METHODS: The data of 71 NOA patients who had TESE in our unit between the years 2004-2014, was evaluated. Age, FSH and TS were obtained from the records. A different cut-off values of FSH: 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 IU/L, were used in order to try to categorize statistically significant different groups in relation to the success of sperm retrieval.
RESULTS: Sperm was found in 37 patients (52.1%) (Group A) and was not detected in 34 (47%) (Group B). The mean age of patients in group A was 37 and 33 in group B, no statistical significance regarding age was found, p=0.2. Mean FSH level in group A was 16 IU/L compared to 23 IU/L in group B (NS), P=0.0541. When FSH cut-off value of 15 IU/L was used, the success rate of sperm retrieval was 36.8% when FSH>15 IU/L and 70% when FSH≤15 IU/L, this difference was statistically significant, P= 0.0066.
In group B, 50% had bilateral normal TS, 7% unilateral small TS, 44% bilateral small TS. While all the patients in group A had normal bilateral TS. P < 0.0001.
CONCLUSIONS: Age does not affect the success rate in TESE. Elevated values of FSH adversely affect the success rate, when FSH ≤15 IU/L there is a 70% chance to find sperm. Normal size testicles is a very good predictor of successful sperm retrieval.
