(Oligo)spermia - few spermatozoa in semen
(Oligozoo)spermia - same as (oligo)spermia
(Hypo)spermia - small semen volume
(A)spermia - complete lack of semen
(Azoo)spermia - absence of sperm cells in semen
(Terato)spermia - sperm with abnormal morphology
(Asthenozoo)spermia - reduced sperm motility
When a patient presents with azoospermia, it is important to find whether it is due to obstructive or non obstructive cause, as obstructive causes can be surgically corrected.
In Scrotal Ultrasound,
-The testicular volume will be reduced (<7 cc) in non obstructive or primary azoospermia while the volume will be increased (>13 cc) in obstructive azoospermia.
- Ectasia of rete testes: anechoic tubular structures in mediastinum testes.
- Tubular ectasia of epididymis : multiple anechoic tubular structures in epididymis head. (the differential for this feauture includes - spermatocele, epididymal cyst)
- Inflammatory epididymal mass : enlarged heterogenous epididymis head.
Causes of Azoospermia:
(Oligozoo)spermia - same as (oligo)spermia
(Hypo)spermia - small semen volume
(A)spermia - complete lack of semen
(Azoo)spermia - absence of sperm cells in semen
(Terato)spermia - sperm with abnormal morphology
(Asthenozoo)spermia - reduced sperm motility
When a patient presents with azoospermia, it is important to find whether it is due to obstructive or non obstructive cause, as obstructive causes can be surgically corrected.
In Scrotal Ultrasound,
-The testicular volume will be reduced (<7 cc) in non obstructive or primary azoospermia while the volume will be increased (>13 cc) in obstructive azoospermia.
- Ectasia of rete testes: anechoic tubular structures in mediastinum testes.
- Tubular ectasia of epididymis : multiple anechoic tubular structures in epididymis head. (the differential for this feauture includes - spermatocele, epididymal cyst)
- Inflammatory epididymal mass : enlarged heterogenous epididymis head.
Causes of Azoospermia:
- Hormonal problems
- Testicular failure (as in Sertoli cell-only syndrome or maturation arrest in genetic abnormalities)
- Varicocele
Evaluation of Azoospermia:
- Physical Examination
- Hormonal Evaluation - FSH
- Transrectal Ultrasound
- Urinalysis
- Testicular Biopsy