Everything You Need To Know About Non Obstructive Azoospermia

NON-OBSTRUCTIVE AZOOSPERMIA (NOA) is the most severe type of male infertility, characterized by an absence of sperms in the ejaculate as a result of the inability of spermatogenesis to take place. In layman’s terms, sperm production has been hampered.

Causes of Non-Obstructive Azoospermia

It is believed that insufficient gonadotropin production or intrinsic testicular dysfunction are the primary reasons for failed spermatogenesis. There are a variety of variables that contribute to this failure and the subsequent NOA, including:

• Genetics is the study of inheritance (like Y chromosome deletion)
• Medication
• Hormonal imbalance is a medical condition.
• Radiation and poisons are two of the most dangerous elements on the planet.
• Infections that cause Maturation Arrest
• Anomaly in the karyotype

Genetic Factors

Non-obstructive azoospermia can be caused by a number of hereditary reasons of male infertility. Y-chromosome microdeletions and karyotypic abnormalities are examples of this.

Klinefelter Syndrome is the most frequent karyotypic aberration, and it arises when a man has an extra X chromosome. Up to 10% of non-obstructive azoospermia individuals will have identifiable genetic defects that result in reduced sperm production.

Although not all genetic reasons for reduced sperm production are known, it is a topic that we are studying and keeping an eye on. It is critical to understand:

Causes that are recognized and diagnosable might assist guide your therapy, with certain illnesses having a higher possibility of detecting concealed sperm than others.

Because you risk passing genetic mutations on to your offspring, our genetic counselors can assist you in making those critical decisions.

Non-obstructive Azoospermia Caused By Hormones

Pituitary hormones must stimulate the testicles in order for them to create sperm. Sperm production is impossible if these hormones are deficient or absent. Men who use or have used steroids may have influenced the hormones required for sperm production.

Toxins And Radiation

Toxic substances including heavy metals, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy can all reduce sperm production. For this reason, sperm banking is suggested prior to chemotherapy or radiation treatment.

Certain environmental factors can reduce sperm production:

Some hazardous substances (with possible links to pesticides)

• Metals of great weight
• Chemotherapy
• Radiation treatment
• If you are about to get chemotherapy or radiation, it is a good idea to freeze (cryopreserve) your sperm ahead of time. However, we are frequently able to locate sperm following such cancer therapies.

Medications

Certain drugs might also have a detrimental impact on sperm production. Taking testosterone supplements, for example, can interfere with the natural operation of the reproductive system.

Several drugs can impair sperm production, so we can advise you on which, if any, you should continue taking. While testosterone is required for optimal reproductive function, taking it in supplementary form can frequently result in azoospermia.

Varicoceles

Varicoceles, or bulging varicose veins in the scrotum, can also impair sperm production. Varicoceles result in blood pooling in the scrotum, which reduces sperm production.

Veins in the scrotum can expand and spread, causing a varicocele and interfering with normal sperm production. Our partner, the Male Reproductive Medicine and Surgery Program, can teach you more about varicocele management.

Deletion of the Y Chromosome

Many genes on the Y chromosome are required for sperm production, however, some men are missing important portions. Because Y chromosomal deletions are responsible for up to 10% of azoospermia cases, we carefully test for this possibility. In fact, one of our advisers, Dr. Renee Reijo Pera, was the first to recognize the significance of these genes in sperm development.

The identification of a specific Y chromosomal abnormality is critical because some deletions (for example, AZFc) increase the probability of discovering sperm.

Any sons born to Y chromosome deletion dads will inherit the condition.

Karyotype deviation

Men typically have 46 chromosomes: 44 pairs numbered 1 through 22, plus an X and a Y. However, up to 10% of individuals with nonobstructive azoospermia have identifiable abnormalities that might decrease sperm production.

Klinefelter syndrome is caused by an extra X chromosome and is characterised by poor testicular function, low sperm counts, and low testosterone levels. In such circumstances, however, we are frequently able to find some sperm.

Unbalanced hormones

It is likely that your azoospermia is caused by a hormonal imbalance, which we may address.

Treatment For Non-Obstructive Azoospermia

Men suffering from NOA may now be able to witness the restoration of sperms in their sperm thanks to advancements in technology and medical treatments. Some men have pockets of sperm production in their testicles, which may be detected in their testicles.

Hormone treatment can be an effective strategy to address hormone shortages in males with non-obstructive azoospermia.

Aromatase inhibitors can increase sperm concentration and motility in men with irregular testosterone to estradiol ratio (T/E2).

Toxin avoidance and medication adjustments with the assistance of a physician can also result in increased sperm counts.

There is contradictory evidence on whether varicoceles should be surgically repaired.

Varicocelectomy, which involves tying up the problematic veins and rerouting blood flow through healthy veins, can help decrease swelling of varicose veins but is normally reserved for severe instances.

Some men with nonobstructive azoospermia may have sperm return to their sperm as a result of our sophisticated therapies, making unassisted pregnancy a viable possibility.

Many others have patches of sperm production in their testicles, even though many parts are barren and their patients do not produce enough to transmit via their reproductive tracts.

Such result is attainable due to our sperm extraction knowledge and competence.

Your doctor will discuss your unique situation with you and give treatment recommendations.

For some guys, the cure is simple: adjust their lifestyle, switch medications, or begin avoiding particular poisons.

Also, if you’ve had chemo or radiation therapy, your reproductive system is quite resilient—your body just needs time to recuperate.

However, we may also suggest a more direct action. In any event, you must let your body 2-3 months to produce enough sperm to observe a visible improvement.

Hormone therapy

Some men with nonobstructive azoospermia benefit from therapy with particular hormones, which encourage sperm back to their sperm or increase the chance of finding sperm after extraction, depending on their current levels. Among these hormones are:

• FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) (FSH)
• hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) (HCG)
• Clomiphene \sAnastrazole
• Letrozole

Varicocelectomy

Varicoceles are swollen and expanded veins on the scrotum that might obstruct sperm production in some men. We utilize an operating microscope to detect and tie up the problematic veins while conserving vital surrounding tissues during a microscopic varicocelectomy (e.g., arteries, vas deferens, lymphatic channels).

With this technique, up to 40% of men saw their sperm return to their sperm. Those who have been unsuccessful may attempt sperm extraction. Find out more about our sperm extraction services.

Seeds Of Innocence Expertise

When it comes to diagnosing NOA, a physical examination is essential. SOI offers the skills and resources necessary to diagnose NOA and adapt your therapy to your specific needs. The staff at SOI has been assisting men with NOA in achieving biological parenthood for many years.

Pregnancy And Non-Obstructive Azoospermia

Previously, fertility specialists believed that men who had sperm production issues could only have a family with donor sperm or via adoption.

However, sperm has been found in testis biopsies taken from males with non-obstructive azoospermia. Despite their reduced motility, testicular sperm can be utilized for intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) during in vitro fertilization (IVF).

For men with non-obstructive azoospermia, a surgery termed testicular sperm extraction (TESE) with ICSI has been performed.

Extraction of testicular sperm can be done under local or total anesthesia. The sperm obtained through this method can be used in IVF operations.

If a man has a genetic reason for his non-obstructive azoospermia, genetic testing and counseling are indicated before attempting IVF.

How Non-Obstructive Azoospermia Is Diagnosed?

We understand that a diagnosis of infertility can be extremely upsetting for many guys. However, effective azoospermia therapy begins with diagnosing the aetiology.

Sperm is normally created in the testicles (testes) of your scrotum and goes through your reproductive tract to combine with fluid in the seminal ducts. This results in semen, which is the thick, white fluid expelled from the penis during ejaculation.

Up to 2% of the world’s males have no detectable sperm in their sperm, with azoospermia accounting for up to 10% of male infertility cases.

The condition, which is commonly referred to as “no sperm count,” is either present at birth or develops later in life. We conduct a thorough assessment to determine the root cause of your issue.

Doctors have the knowledge and equipment necessary to detect both kinds and adapt your therapy accordingly.

The idea is to fix the problem so that the simplest (and frequently least expensive) kind of conception is possible—though the specific technique is up to you and your partner. In general, you’ll need:

• 10 to 20 million sperm migrate for unaided conception
• 3–5 million dollars for intrauterine insemination
• 1,000,000 sperm for in vitro fertilisation (IVF)
• 1–20 sperm for intracytoplasmic injection (ICSI)

Sperm samples

To accurately diagnose azoospermia, two sperm samples must be taken at separate periods to allow for natural variability. You may either drop off the sample at our office or bring it in, as long as:

• You provide the sample within an hour.
• The container is kept at body temperature, for example, in a pocket.

We ask that you stop from ejaculating two to five days before donating the sample, regardless of technique, so that your body can replace whatever sperm it is making. At least one test is performed on the sperm samples:

• The first step is to do a basic analysis.
• If no sperm are detected, the samples are centrifuged to generate a concentrated “pellet,” which is then studied further. Our technicians search for any sign of concealed sperm (cryptospermia).

oligospermia vs. azoospermia

You may discover that you have an unusually low number of sperm (oligospermia) rather than no sperm at all after your diagnosis. In some circumstances, you may be sent to our Male Reproductive Medicine and Surgery Program for treatment.

Additional diagnostic techniques

Your diagnosis may also include the following:

• A thorough medical history, which includes a review of any existing documents (while patients may have already seen a doctor for infertility, it is not a requirement for visiting our center)
• Examination of the body
• Hormone analysis
• Genetic testing
• Ultrasound, MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), or CT (computed tomography) scans are used for genital tract imaging.

Conclusions

Because there is presently no medication that can restore spermatogenesis in the majority of NOA patients, the micro test remains the basis of NOA treatments.

Because of the relatively high occurrence of such anomalies in NOA, chromosomal and genetic testing should be undertaken in these patients, and adequate counseling about these problems should be offered to couples.

Despite several attempts to develop a better sperm retrieval system using micro test, patients have no alternative choice for having their own children if spermatozoa cannot be recovered.

Further study, including stem cell research, may lead to innovative NOA therapy approaches.