OBJECTIVETo compare cell suspension examination with histopathology in detecting spermatozoa in the testicular tissue of non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) patients, and to investigate the reliability of sperm retrieval and appropriate therapeutic options when the results of the two methods are inconsistent.

METHODSA total of 1 112 NOA patients underwent testicular sperm extraction (TESE), their testicular tissues subjected to cell suspension examination and histopathology, respectively.

RESULTSThe consistency rate of the two methods was 92.63%, with the sperm detection rate of 41.82% and non-sperm detection rate of 50.81%. Sperm were retrieved from 96.0% (24/25) of the patients on the day of oval retrieval, in whom sperm were found in cell suspension examination but not in histopathology. After intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), pregnancy was achieved in 8 cases (33.33%), abortion occurred in 4 (16.67%), and non-pregnancy in 12 (50.0%).

CONCLUSIONCell suspension examination combined with histopathology for detecting sperm in the testicular tissue of NOA patients gives instant, accurate, reliable and consistent results, and therefore insures successful sperm retrieval for NOA patients during the IVF cycle. In case of inconsistency between the results of the two methods, cell suspension examination is more helpful for clinical therapeutic option.