Search and identification of spermatozoa and spermatids in the ejaculate of non-obstructive azoospermic patients

OBJECTIVE: To search and to identify spermatozoa and spermatids, present in the ejaculate of non-obstructive azoospermic patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 27 patients, aged between 18 and 48 years, with initial diagnosis compatible with non-obstructive azoospermia, underwent up to 3 seminal samples, with assessment of macroscopic and microscopic parameters differentiated for each sample. In the first sample, 5 µL of semen were analyzed in a Horwell chamber in order to assess the presence or absence of spermatozoa. The procedure was repeated with 2 other aliquots. In the absence of spermatozoa,...