Background: Non-obstructive azoospermia
(NOA) represents an infertility problem that
is usually difficult to treat. Such patients usually have testicular
biopsy of germ cell aplasia or spermatogenic arrest. In recent
decades, Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) had been studied
thoroughly and proved safe and effective regarding their capa-
bility for trans-differentiation into different cell types. The aim
of this study was to evaluate the effect of MSCs local intratestic-
ular injection in induction of spermatogenesis.
Patients and method: The current study included 87 infertile
non-obstructive azoospermic patients. Clinical assessment and
repeated semen analysis with centrifugation were done to con-
firm azoospermia. Karyotyping and AZF study were done. Some
of the patients had previous testicular biopsy proving a lack of
sperm in the testes. Single intratesticular injection of purified
MSCs suspension was done.
Results: 20.7% of patients showed sperm in their semen after
variable period of time. Hormonal profile among treated
patients showed significant improvement regardless success of
treatment. Also most of the treated patients appreciated the
improvement of their sexual function and libido.
Conclusions: Bone marrow derived MSCs could be a new hope
and therapeutic modality for treatment of refractory cases of
NOA.