Medical optimisation of sperm retrieval in non-obstructive azoospermia is reviewed.
Gonadotropin treatment of hypogonadotropic hypogonadism allows obtaining sperms in the ejaculate in about 90% of cases provided the duration of treatment was long enough. TESE is indicated in case of persistent azoospermia at 2 years of continuous treatment. Some publications reported a possible effect of hormonal treatments (FSH, hCG, anti-estrogens, aromatase inhibitors) in primary spermatogenic failure, but mainly in cases selected for their favourable histology and normal hormonal levels. The effect on unselected cases remains doubtful. Conversely, the effect of the treatment of varicoceles is significant. Other medical treatments or advises need further investigations.
Written by:
Lejeune H, Lapoirie M, Brosse A, Cuzin B, Giscard d'Estaing S, Plotton I. Are you the author?
Inserm U846, service de médecine de la reproduction, laboratoire de biologie de la reproduction, université Claude-Bernard Lyon 1, hôpital Femme-Mère-Enfant, CHU de Lyon, hospices civils de Lyon, 59, boulevard Pinel, 69500 Bron, France.
Reference: Gynecol Obstet Fertil. 2014 Sep;42(9):640-3.
doi: 10.1016/j.gyobfe.2014.07.023
PubMed Abstract
PMID: 25153439
Article in French.
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