Loading clinical trials...
Loading clinical trials...
Showing 1-7 of 7 trials
NCT07415928
This retrospective observational study evaluated the diagnostic and predictive value of serum Inhibin B (INHB), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and the INHB/FSH ratio in differentiating histopathological subtypes of non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) in men undergoing microdissection testicular sperm extraction (micro-TESE). Seventy-three patients treated at a single tertiary referral center between January 2023 and September 2025 were included. Hormonal parameters were assessed preoperatively, and histopathological findings were categorized into five groups (SCOS, EMA, LMA, HSG, NS). The INHB/FSH ratio demonstrated significant discriminative ability across histopathological patterns and showed strong predictive performance in ROC and regression analyses. These findings suggest that the INHB/FSH ratio may serve as a practical, non-invasive biomarker for estimating testicular pathology severity in NOA patients.
NCT07008495
A varicocele is an abnormal dilatation and tortuosity of the veins of the spermatic cord. Although varicoceles are common in the general population and are frequently found on routine physical examinations, they represent the most common correctable cause of male factor infertility. Male factor infertility affects up to half of all couples struggling to conceive, and 10-20% of men evaluated for infertility are found to be azoospermic.
NCT05110391
Azoospermia is defined as the complete absence of spermatozoa in the ejaculate. Two-thirds of azoospermic patients have non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA); the latter comprises up to 10% of infertile men overall. NOA is an untreatable testicular disorder associated with spermatogenic failure and is the most severe male infertility phenotype. Among the available surgical sperm retrieval techniques, microdissection testicular sperm extraction (micro-TESE) is the procedure of choice due to its high sperm retrieval success rates (SRR), minimal tissue extraction, and low complication rates. Even with the use of micro-TESE, the likelihood of retrieving sperm in patients with NOA remain suboptimal (40% to 60%). Hypogonadism is detected in approximately half of the patients with NOA. Given the role of intratesticular testosterone (ITT) levels for spermatogenesis, some studies have explored the clinical utility of testosterone optimization by medical therapy before sperm retrieval. Moreover, some investigators have hypothesized that the follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) reset might increase the expression of FSH receptors and improve Sertoli cell function. Hormonal therapy with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) has been shown to improve ITT production and decrease FSH levels in patients with NOA. The investigators, therefore, designed an observational cohort study aiming to evaluate whether hormone stimulation with gonadotropins (e.g., hCG alone or combined with FSH) previous to micro-TESE increases sperm retrieval rates in hypogonadal infertile men with NOA, candidates for sperm retrieval. The investigators hypothesize that optimizing ITT production and resetting FSH levels may improve spermatogenesis and successful sperm recovery.
NCT04894136
A comparison of reproductive and obstetrical outcomes is retrospectively performed among couples that underwent ICSI-TESE cycles for obstructive and non obstructive azoospermia between January 2001 and December 2019.
NCT02641769
This is an open label, single arm, single center investigation to assess the safety and efficacy of purified adult autologous bone marrow derived CD34+, CD133+, and mesenchymal stem cells injected into the seminiferous tubules and testis, through a 12 week follow-up period. The investigators' selected model of research is based on maximizing the efficiency of the approach by choosing an autologous pattern which preserves the genetic make-up of an individual that is vital in infertility conditions. Additionally the approach involves injecting a combination of different but purified cell types which all aid in the retrieval of spermatogenesis, and the generation of mature spermatozoa. Expected outcomes of this study are defined in general improvements in infertile patients in regards of testicular morphology, sexual function, semen quality, development of primary or secondary spermatocytes, spermatids, or mature spermatozoa in the testis, seminiferous tubules, or semen.
NCT02255396
Estradiol and Testosterone are two important hormones for the regulation of an effective spermatogenesis in human testis. The evaluation of levels of estradiol and testosterone in seminal plasma of men with non-obstructive azoospermia may be a predictive test before surgical testicular biopsy to determine the chance of a positive sperm extraction to use for ICSI.
NCT00044369
Varicose veins in the scrotum (varicocele) are responsible for \>20% of male infertility in the US. Varicocele are associated with decreased sperm number and markedly reduced sperm fertilizing ability. Surgical repair or removal of varicocele restores fertility in only 1/3 of cases. The goal of this study is to identify markers that predict the outcome of variocele correction. This would offer considerable health cost savings. Based on preliminary findings, we will obtain testis biopsies and semen specimens from infertile men with varicocele and prospectively examining the levels of cadmium, a toxic metal, and expression of genes required for normal sperm function. The semen and biopsies will be obtained during clinically dictated procedures. Cadmium and gene expression will be compared with response to varicocele repair (i.e., increased sperm production; pregnancy).