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Progressing management of non-obstructive azoospermia in the era of microdissection testicular sperm extraction

  • Review Article
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Reproductive Medicine and Biology

Abstract

Previously, it was absolutely impossible for azoospermic men to reproduce except in some obstructive azoospermic cases for whom reconstruction of the seminal pathway was successful. However, nowadays, intracytoplasmic sperm injection and microdissection testicular sperm extraction have brought about chances of biological paternity in some non-obstructive azoospermic men. It is almost 15 years since the first trials of testicular sperm retrieval using surgical microscopy for non-obstructive azoospermia were reported. In this manuscript, the progress and outcomes of these novel techniques since then are reviewed, the controversial points are discussed and the latest research to achieve pregnancies in tough non-obstructive azoospermic couples are introduced. Not only the bright side of the renovations, but the underlying concerns are also discussed.

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Conflict of interest

Satoru Kanto, Kazumitsu Yamasaki and Teruaki Iwamoto declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Urology, International University of Health and Welfare Shioya Hospital, 77 Tomita, Yaita, Tochigi, 329-2145, Japan

    Satoru Kanto

  2. Department of Urology, International University of Health and Welfare Hospital, 537-3 Iguchi, Nasushiobara, Japan

    Kazumitsu Yamasaki

  3. International University of Health and Welfare Hospital, Reproduction Center, 537-3 Iguchi, Nasushiobara, Japan

    Teruaki Iwamoto

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  1. Satoru Kanto
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  2. Kazumitsu Yamasaki
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  3. Teruaki Iwamoto
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Correspondence to Satoru Kanto.

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Kanto, S., Yamasaki, K. & Iwamoto, T. Progressing management of non-obstructive azoospermia in the era of microdissection testicular sperm extraction. Reprod Med Biol 13, 119–125 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12522-014-0178-0

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