Research in Medicine

Backgrond: Infertility affects 15% of couples and male factor infertility is involved in 50% of cases. One of
the causes of infertility is Azoospermia that refers to the absence of sperm per ejaculation and almost affects
1% of the total men population. A comprehensive overview about the disease and its risk factors along with
a better understanding of the diagnosis was performed and comprehensive information about the modern
treatment methods for this reproductive disorder was provided.
Materials and methods: For writing this article, a large study on azoospermia, the reasons and treatment
methods was performed by searching the words including azoospermia, genetics, treatment and diagnosis in
the medical valid databases, mainly PubMed, up to 2016. Among the collected papers, articles that are most
relevant to the goals of the present article was selected. The articles with brief explanation about the etiology
of azoospermia and disease treatment options were studied further.
Findings: Literature review showed that genetic diseases such as Klinefelter syndrome, cystic fibrosis, primary
and secondary testicular failure due to hormonal and/or chromosomal anomalies ranging from structural or
numerical changes, gene mutations, genomics alterations at the level of telomeres and the resulting apoptosis,
genetic polymorphisms, anatomical disorders associated with vas deferens and ejaculation, age, treatments of
testicular cancer and other diseases, varicocele and surgical treatment of testis were considered as the most
important factors in azoospermia.
Discussion: Although numerous factors are involved in the etiology of azoospermia, clinical tests and genetic
counseling plays an important role in early detection of disease that helps to retrieve sperm production and
fertility to the patient in many cases.
Conclusion: Accurate understanding of the etiology of azoospermia could provide a suitable treatment
approach for the management of disease.