Induction of spermatogenesis by rhFSH for azoospermia due to spermatogenic dysfunction with maturation arrest: five case series

Figures & data

Figure 1. Spermatids in seminiferous tubules (A) and sperm in the ejaculate after rhFSH treatment (B). Patient of case 3 who could not obtain spermatozoa by microdissection testicular sperm extraction was confirmed to have arrested spermatogenesis at late stage of maturation arrest (A). Mature spermatozoa were found in the ejaculate after rhFSH administration (B). rhFSH: recombinant human follicle-stimulating hormone.

Table 1. Background of patients with sperm in ejaculate after rhFSH and hCG therapy.

ID	Age (years)	LH (mIU/ml)	FSH (mIU/ml)	T (ng/dl)	Johnsen Score Count	rhFSH administration (IU twice a week)	Treatment duration to achieve spermatogenesis (months)	Pregnancy
1	37	10.9	7.3	553	5.43	75	3	–
2	37	5.9	5.3	344	5.28	150	6	–
3	38	0.8	4.2	661	5.29	150	6	+
4	29	3.3	5.8	510	5.17	150	5	–
5	32	6.8	14.4	627	5.67	75	2	+

LH: lutenizing hormone; FSH: follicle-stimulating hormone; T: testosterone; rhFSH: recombinant human FSH; normal range: LH 2.2–8.4 mIU/ml; FSH 1.8–12.0mIU/ml; T 225–1040 ng/dl.