Causes and Treatment of Non-Obstructive Azoospermia?

You can jump on :

1. What is Non-Obstructive Azoospermia?
2. System of male reproduction
3. Obstructive azoospermia vs. non-obstructive azoospermia

Dr. Jay Mehta is a Gynecologist, Obstetrician & Infertility Specialist in Shree IVF Clinic, Mumbai. With his help, you will get to know about the concept of Non-Obstructive Azoospermia (NOA) & its possible treatment options.

What is Non- Obstructive Azoospermia (NOA) & how to treat it?

Azoospermia is one of the common causes of male infertility and is predominantly diagnosed characterized by having at least two semen reports, done at least four to six weeks apart, both of which demonstrating zero sperm count or nil sperm count. The most prevalent cause of azoospermia is non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA), whereas, the less common ones are obstructive. Before we get into what Non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) is, it’s important to understand how the male reproductive system works.

System of male reproduction

Let’s take a look at the male reproductive system first to see what’s causing this block.

• The testes, often known as testicles, are the parts of the male reproductive system that create sperm.
• These sperms then pass through the vas deference, a duct or pipeline, and are briefly stored in seminal vesicles.
• Nutrition and water are given to these sperms in the seminal vesicles.
• During intercourse, the sperms are ejaculated from the penis through ejaculatory ducts and exit as seminal fluid.

There is no obstruction in the reproductive system in Non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA), but there is an anomaly in the testes that causes a decline in sperm production.

Factors that cause Non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA)

1. Congenital problems with the testes –Retractile Testes, Chryptorchidism
2. Testicular injury
3. Childhood Viral Infections
4. Endocrinological issues involving the brain and hormone release in the body.
5. Hormone replacement treatment. Therapies that influence the body’s gonadotropin hormones, for example.

A raised level of FSH, modestly high levels of Estradiol, and low to normal levels of testosterone are all frequent in non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA).

Obstructive azoospermia vs. non-obstructive azoospermia

The testes will be normal size if you have obstructive azoospermia.

Non-obstructive azoospermia: The testes may be somewhat smaller and softer in consistency, and their placement may be slightly varied.

Non-obstructive azoospermia treatment (NOA)

In non-obstructive azoospermia, how can you get your sperm back? (NOA)

Although the testes may be faulty, certain parts of the testes may be generating viable sperm, which can be extracted through a method called Microdissection.

Micro Dissection Surgery in Non-obstructive Azoospermia

Dissection of microorganisms The TESE procedure is a highly skilled surgical procedure. It’s a two-and-a-half-hour operation in which a testis is opened to screen and assess healthy sperm. The typical sperm retrieval rate ranges from 55 to 70 percent. A patient should have a clinical and hormonal screening before to Micro Dissection to determine the procedure’s estimated success rate. Patients with non-obstructive azoospermia can, nevertheless, achieve a pregnancy with their own sperm thanks to MicroTESE.