• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제44권1호
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• pp.22-27
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• 2017

Objective: Azoospermia owing to testicular disorders is the most severe manifestation of male infertility. The main concern for patients with nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA) is the probability of successful sperm retrieval following testicular sperm extraction (TESE). Therefore, the goal of this study was to determine predictive factors correlated with sperm retrieval. Methods: We assessed the testicular histopathological patterns, the choice of TESE surgical procedure, hormone levels, and chromosomal abnormalities in patients with NOA (n=170). The histopathology specimens were analyzed based on the histopathological patterns of hypospermatogenesis, maturation arrest, and Sertoli cell-only syndrome. Results: The mean rate of sperm retrieval was 48.8%. The rate of sperm retrieval was significantly higher in the hypospermatogenesis group than in the other groups (p<0.001). There was a positive correlation between micro-TESE (vs. conventional TESE) and the sperm retrieval rate (odds ratio, 8.077; p<0.01). A logistic regression model demonstrated that high levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and small testicular volume were significantly associated with lower chances of successful sperm retrieval. Conclusion: Some parameters, including testicular histopathology patterns, FSH levels, testicular volume, and method of TESE surgery, may be able to predict the chances of obtaining spermatozoa in patients with NOA. However, despite the efficiency of some predictive models, the hope of retrieving any functioning spermatozoa may be sufficient to disregard predictive factors of the success of intracytoplasmic sperm injection in these patients.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제36권1호
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• pp.55-61
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• 2009

목 적: 폐쇄성 무정자증 (obstructive azoospermia) 환자와 정자형성저하증 (hypospermatogenesis) 환자의 고환 정자를 이용한 체외수정 및 배아이식술의 결과를 비교, 분석하고자 하였다. 연구방법: 2003년 1월부터 2006년 12월까지 체외수정 및 배아이식술을 위해 고환조직 정자채취술을 시행한 폐쇄성 무정자증 환자 155명 (241주기)과 정자형성저하증 환자 28명 (34주기)을 대상으로 하였다. 고환조직 정자채취술과 세포질내 정자주입술을 실시한 후 수정률, 착상률, 임신율, 출산율을 비교하였으며, 통계적 분석은 t-test와 ${\chi}^2$-test를 사용하였다. 결 과: 정자형성저하증 환자의 고환정자 회수 결과, 신선고환을 사용한 21주기 중 1주기에서는 정자를 회수하지 못하였으나, 정자를 확인하고 고환조직 동결보존 후 융해한 13주기에서 모두 정자를 회수할 수 있었다. 수정률은 정자형성저하증 환자보다 폐쇄성 무정자증 환자에서 통계적으로 유의하게 높았다 (75.6 % vs. 62.6%, p<0.001). 난할 배아 발생률도 정자형성저하증 환자보다 폐쇄성 무정자증 환자에서 통계적으로 유의하게 높았다 (66.8% vs. 54.8% p<0.001). 그러나 우수배아 형성률, 임상적 임신율, 착상률, 출산율에는 차이가 없었다. 결 론: 정자형성저하증 환자의 고환정자를 사용하여 세포질내 정자주입술을 실시할 경우 수정률과 초기 난할율은 폐쇄성 무정자증 환자보다 낮지만, 정상적으로 발달한 배아를 이식할 경우 임신율, 착상률, 그리고 출산율에는 영향을 미치지 않는 것으로 사료된다.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제35권4호
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• pp.293-301
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• 2008

목 적: 비폐쇄성 무정자증 환자에서 고환의 조직병리학적 진단에 따라 고환조직내 정자채취술 (Testicular sperm extraction, TESE) 후 난자세포질내 정자주입술 (Intracytoplsmic sperm injection, ICSI)의 체외수정시술 결과를 알아보고자 하였다. 연구방법: 비폐쇄성 무정자증으로 고환조직내 정자채취술 후 난자세포질내 정자주입술을 이용하여 배아 이식을 시행한 122주기를 분석하였다. 고환의 조직병리학적 진단에 따라 Germ-cell aplasia (GA, 40주기), Maturation arrest (MA, 32주기) and severe hypospermatogenesis (S-HS, 50주기)로 구분하여 체외수정시술 결과를 비교하였으며, 이들 결과를 난자세포질내 정자주입술을 이용한 폐쇄성 무정자증 환자의 체외수정시술 결과와 비교하였다. 결 과: 고환조직내 정자채취술 후 난자세포질내 정자주입술시 수정율은 각각 58.1% in GA, 42.2% in MA and 48.0% in S-HS로 조직병리학적 진단에 따른 차이는 없었으며, 폐쇄성 무정자증 환자의 72.9%에 비해 유의하게 낮은 수정율을 보였다 (p<0.001). 고환조직내 정자채취술시 채취된 정자 (spermatozoa, 94주기)로 난자세포질내 정자주입술을 시행한 주기의 배아 이식 후 임신율은 각각 22.6% in GA, 29.4% in MA와 26.1% in S-HS이었으며, 출생률은 각각 16.1%, 29.4%와 19.6%로 조직병리학적 진단에 따른 차이는 없었다. 정자세포 (spermatid, 16주기)를 사용하여 난자세포질내 정자주입술을 시행한 주기의 임신율은 각각 0.0% (0/3 주기), 9.1% (1/11주기)와 0.0% (0/2주기)이었으며, 출생률은 각각 0.0%이었다. 정모세포 (spermatocyte, 12주기)를 사용한 주기의 임신율은 각각 0.0% (0/6주기), 0.0% (0/4주기)와 0.0% (0/2주기)이었으며, 출생률도 각각 0.0%이었다. 결 론: 비폐쇄성 무정자증환자의 배아이식을 시행한 주기에서 고환의 조직병리학적 진단에 따른 난자세포질내 정자주입술시 수정율은 차이가 없었으며, 폐쇄성 무정자증 환자에 비해 유의하게 낮은 수정율을 보였다. 비폐쇄성 무정자증환자에서 고환조직내 정자채취술시 정자를 채취하여 난자세포질내 정자주입술을 시행한 주기의 체외수정시술 결과는 고환의 조직병리학적 진단에 따라 차이를 보이지 않는다.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제31권4호
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• pp.235-244
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• 2004

Objective: The effects on spermatogenesis by expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and endothelin-1 (ET-1) were investigated. Materials and Methods: Testicular specimens were obtained from 40 infertile males due to primary testicular failure and from 10 fertile males with other urologic problems. The specimens of infertile males were devided into 4 groups according to histologic findings; Sertoli cell only syndrome (A), maturation arrest (B), hypospermatogenesis (C) and sloughing and disorganization (D). VEGF and ET-1 expression were detected with immunohistochemical stain. Results: VEGF expression on Leydig cell was detected in all cases. But, VEGF expression rates on germ cell were significantly higher in infertile group B, C, D compared to that of the control group (p<0.05). ET-1 expression rates on Leydig cell was significantly lower in all infertile group compared to that of the control group (p<0.05). But, ET-1 expression rates on Sertoli cell was significantly higher in all infertile group compared to that of the control group (p>0.05). In germ cell of infertile group, LH, FSH and prolactin were significantly decreased, and estradiol is increased in positive stain group on ET-1 immunohistochemical stain (p<0.05). VEGF and ET-1 expression were not correlated mean seminiferous tubule diameter (p>0.05). Conclusions: Abnormal spermatogenesis would be reflected in VEGF expression in germ cell.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제24권1호
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• pp.95-99
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• 1997

Irreparable obstructive azoospermic patients can be treated successfully with microsurgical epididymal sperm aspiration(MESA) or testicular sperm extraction (TESE) by intracytoplasmic sperm injection(ICSI). Obstructive azoospermic patients generally have normal spermatogenesis. The aim of this study was to see if any spermatozoa could be retrieved from non-obstructive azoospermia and to assess the efficacy of ICSI with TESE in germinal failure. 42 non-obstructive azoospermic patients revealed no spermatozoa at all in their ejaculates, even after centrifuge. The histology of 42 patients revealed 15 Sertoli cell only Syndrome, 4 maturation arrest and 23 severe hypospermatogenesis. All patients underwent extensive multiple testicular biopsy for sperm retrieval. These patients were scheduled for ICSI using testicular spermatozoa. In 25 out of 42 non-obstructive azoospermic patients, spermatozoa were recovered from multiple testicular biopsy specimen and 11 ongoing pregnancies were achieved. There are usually some tiny foci of spermatogenesis which allow TESE with ICSI in non-obstructive azoospermia. Also these patients may have sufficient sperm in the testes for ICSI, despite extremely high FSH level and small testes.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제24권1호
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• pp.101-109
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• 1997

This study was carried to determine the possibility of finding motile spermatozoa and fertilization, pregnancy rate after testicular sperm extraction(TESE) with ICSI in obstructive and non-obstructive azoospermic patients. In 154 cases(132 patients), obstructive azoospermia was 77 cases and non-obstructive azoospermia was 77 cases. In obstructive azoospermia, patients generally showed normal spermatogenesis and included vas agenesis(n=8), multiple vas obstruction(n=7), epididymal obstruction (n=54). Total of 982 retrieved oocytes were obtained and 84.4% were injected. The fertilization rates with 2 PN and cleavage rate were 72.5% and 62.3%, respectively. 30 pregnancies(38.9%) were achieved and the ongoing pregnancies were 22 cases (28.6%). In non-obstructive azoospermia, patients showed hypospermatogenesis(n=49), maturation arrest(n=4), Sertoli cell only syndrome (n=24). The various stages of spermatogenic cell could be retrieved by TESE and could be reached normal fertilization and embryo development with ICSI. Total of 1072 retrieved oocytes obtained and 80.2% were injected. The fertilization rates with 2 PN and cleavage rate were 52.8% and 68.9%, respectively. 22 pregnancies(30.1%) were achieved and the ongoing pregnancies were 19 cases(26.0%). Conclusively, the combination of TESE with ICSI using testicular spermatozoa can achieve normal fertilization and pregnancy rate and effective method in obstructive and non-obstructive azoospermic patients.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제45권4호
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• pp.170-176
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• 2018

Objective: To assess whether the "testicular pool" could be used for histological analysis and whether it gave more accurate information than the standard testicular biopsy. Methods: Between January 2017 and March 2018, this single-center prospective study included 60 azoospermic men undergoing conventional bilateral testicular sperm extraction. Six samples were excised from each testicle and transferred to an embryologist. One additional biopsy was randomly taken from each testis for a histological analysis. After processing, the testicular pool was also sent for a histological analysis, which showed normal spermatogenesis (NS), hypospermatogenesis (HYPO), maturation arrest (MA), Sertoli cell-only syndrome (SCOS), and tubular atrophy (TA). Results: Twenty of the 60 patients (33.3%) had obstructive azoospermia (OA), while the remaining 40 (66.6%) had nonobstructive azoospermia. Their mean age was 40.5 years. All patients with OA had previously undergone unsuccessful testicular fine-needle aspiration. Successful sperm retrieval (SSR) occurred in 93.3% of patients. Histological analysis of the testicular biopsy revealed NS in 12 patients (20%), HYPO and TA in 28 patients (46.6%), MA in eight patients (13.3%), and SCOS in 12 patients (20%). The testicular pool analysis showed NS in 12 patients (20%), HYPO and TA in 44 patients (73.3%), MA in four patients (6.6%), and SCOS in no patients. In four patients with MA (6.6% of the total sample) and 12 patients with SCOS (20% of the total sample) according to the standard testicular biopsy, the embryologist found SSR with cryopreservation. Overall, in 44 patients (73.3%), the testicular pool analysis confirmed the histological findings of the standard testicular biopsy. In the 16 cases (26.6%) with a discrepancy between the single-biopsy histological findings and SSR, the testicular pool analysis confirmed the embryological data on SSR. Conclusion: The testicular pool proved to be easily analyzable, practical, manageable, and more accurate for predicting sperm retrieval than standard testicular biopsy.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• 제7권2호
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• pp.160-164
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• 2010

Y 염색체의 구조적 이상은 남성의 정상적인 고환의 분화와 정자생성과정에 영향을 미친다. 본 증례의 무정자증 남성의 혈액세포에서 관찰된 비정상 Y 염색체는 SRY를 포함한 부분적 단완 중복과 Yq12 이질염색질 결실로 재배열된 일동원체성 derivative Y 염색체이다. 이러한 형태의 Y 염색체에 대해서는 매우 드물게 보고되어 있다. 이는 분자세포유전학 및 분자유전학 검사를 통하여 46,X,der(Y)(pter${\rightarrow}$q11.23::p11.2${\rightarrow}$ pter).ish der(Y)(DYZ3+,DYZ1-,SRY++) 의 결과를 얻었다. 증례의 남성은 비정상 Y 염색체를 가졌음에도 불구하고 정상적인 고환의 크기와 혈액내 성호르몬의 수치는 정상이었다. 하지만 양측성 정계정맥류와 고환생검결과 정자형성기능저하증의 소견을 보였다. 이러한 비정상 Y 염색체는 부계의 감수분열 또는 배발생 초기 단계에서 Y 염색체 자매염색분체의 재배열 또는 Y 염색체내 비대립동종재조합(Non-allelic homologous recombination) 현상 때문에 일어난 것으로 생각되며 환자의 생식세포 분열과정 중 X-Y 성염색체 PAR1 (pseudoautosomal region 1) 부위가 접합하는 2가염색체 (X-Y bivalent) 형성장애기전으로 정자생성 또는 정자성숙 단계에 문제가 생긴 것으로 생각된다. 또한 남성특이영역(male specific region of the Y chromosome, MSY)에서 불임과 관련된 유전자들의 결실과 변이 등의 원인도 배제할 수 없을 것이다. 본 증례는 무정자증 불임남성의 생식과 관련된 표현형이 다양한 원인으로 결정될 수 있음을 시사하며 아울러 불임남성에 대한 보다 정확하고 자세한 분자 세포 유전학적 분석들이 불임 남성의 치료에도 도움이 될 것이라 생각한다.