One percent of men in the general population have a sperm count of zero. This is arguably the most challenging scenario in fertility care. It is important to be able to differentiate if the sperm count of zero is due to a blockage or due to a sperm production failure, also known as non-obstructive azoospermia. There are clinical clues to allow for the differentiation between these 2 categories which drives the correct treatment option. Dr. Parviz Kavoussi and the team at AFRM performed a research study to assess and to develop a treatment algorithm to give patients the best odds of success with the fewest numbers of interventions in cases where it is not quite clear with these clinical clues if the cause of the sperm count of zero is due to a blockage or non-obstructive azoospermia. This work was presented at the South Central Section of the American Urological Association meeting. Dr. Kavoussi states, “It is important to continue to think in new ways to help minimize the burden on patients while optimizing their outcomes, and that is what this study is all about.”
