Successful Solution of Azoospermia with the Diagnosis”Sertolli Cells Only Syndrome” (SCO sy.) and MaturationArrest (MA) - Getting a Quality Embryo

Overview

Objective:
The transfer of good quality embryo in the program of assisted reproduction in thecase of azoospermia, dg. Sertolli cells only syndrome (SCO sy) + maturation arrest (MA). Testeswere assessed and found to have a high occurrence of Sertolli cells and very low occurrence ofgerminal cells, which were arrested at the round spermatid level. The histological evaluation washypospermatogenesis gr. 3 (minimum 1 spermatid/sample).Design: Case report.Setting: Laboratory IVF, Iscare, a. s., Department of Biology and Biochemistry of Fertilization,Institute of Molecular Genetics, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague.Subject and Method: The successful integration of three methods provides a solution for this caseof azoospermia. Immunology and histology can more exactly diagnose the degree of azoospermia.Detection and visualisation of spermatids using monoclonal antibodies against sperm proteinspredicts the eventual occurrence of spermatogenesis, and histological evaluation confi rms theseimmunological fi ndings. Using the information of both methods it is possible to use special invitro cultivation of testicular cells and so obtain injectable spermatozoa, or precursors of sperm,for the ICSI method.Conclusion: The probability of acquisition of goood-quality embryo in the program of assistedreproduction is higher when these three methods are applied in combination.

Key words:
azoospermia, Sertolli cells, maturation