836 The validity of testicular aspirate cytology and DNA image analysis of the aspirate in the assessment of infertile men

Abstract

Objective: To assess the possibility of using cytological examination and DNA image-analysis of testicular fine-needle aspirates instead of open surgical biopsy in the investigation of infertile men, as testicular biopsy has long been used for investigating infertility but the interpretation of histological slides is usually subjective.Patients and methods: Thirty-three men (aged 22-36 years) were evaluated for infertility and underwent both open biopsy and fine-needle aspiration of their testes. Subsequently, the needle aspirates were assessed histopathologically and cytologically, and by DNA image cytometry. The percentages of haploid, diploid and tetraploid cells were determined for each patient.Results: The cases were divided into four categories: (1) Complete spermatogenesis, with a DNA pattern of 1n > 2n > 4n; (2) Maturation arrest, with a DNA