Seminal Plasma And Serum Inhibin-B Level As A Predictor To Diagnose Azoospermia

Background and objective: Infertility affects both men and women. Male causes for infertility are found in 50% of involuntarily childless couples. Reduced male fertility can be the result of congenital and acquired factors. Semen analysis reveals a normal spermatozoa, oligozoospermia, asthenozoospermia, teratozoospermia or azoospermia. Azoospermia is one of the most serious. The prevalence of azoospermia in the general population has been estimated at 1%~2%. The incidence at a male infertility clinic was found to be as high as 10-20%. Azoospermia can be caused by obstructive and non-obstructive factors. The estimated prevalence of non-obstructive azoospermia, determined by testicular biopsy, ranges between 40% and 60%. Obstructive azoospermia means the absence of both spermatozoa and spermatogenetic cells in semen and post-ejaculate urine due to bilateral obstruction of the seminal ducts. It is very important to distinguish obstructive and non-obstructive azoospermia. The obstructive azoospermia with normal spermatogenesis are frequently correctable. The non-obstructive azoospermia with testicular disorders are generally irreversible. Pre-testicular causes of azoospermia are endocrine abnormalities that adversely affect spermatogenesis (secondary testicular failure), they are relatively rare and can be diagnosed by serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinising hormone (LH) level. To help differentiate between obstructive and...