Testicular malondialdehyde level in azoospermic patients

Objective This study aimed to evaluate malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in human testicular tissue of azoospermic patients. Design This was a cross‑sectional study. Patients and methods Azoospermic patients with obstructive (OA) and nonobstructive (NOA) were subjected to surgical sperm retrieval with needle aspiration using a 14 G cannula. Assay of MDA level was performed using colorimetric methods in testicular samples. In addition, assessment of the number of retrieved sperm in the samples was performed. Results The study included 21 OA (group A), 16 positive NOA (group B with positive sperm retrieval), and 21 negative NOA (group C with negative sperm retrieval). The MDA level was significantly higher in the positive and negative NOA (31.50 ± 15.81 nmol/g) (40.38 ± 14.42 nmol/g) groups than the OA group (21.33 ± 9.61 nmol/g) (P = 0.043, P = 0.000), respectively. The MDA level correlated negatively with the mean number of retrieved sperm (in groups with positive sperm retrieval A and B) (r=−0.261, P = 0.048, r=−0.402, P = 0.002), respectively. Conclusion Men with NOA seem to have increased basal testicular oxidative stress compared with those with OA as indicated by increased MDA levels in testicular samples. The MDA level correlated negatively with sperm concentration; thus, it may be considered a predictor marker for sperm retrieval in NOA cases.