Seminal TEX101 as a Predictor of Recovery of Spermatogenesis in Azoospermic Men With Palpable Varicocele

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The aim of the study is to assess if seminal TEX 101 can predict the restoration of spermatogenesis and appearance of sperms in the ejaculate after micro-surgical varicocelectomy among azoospermic patients.

Detailed Description
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Male patients (40) cases attending the outpatient clinic of Andrology at KASR EL-AINI university hospitals, all patients presented with azoospermia, age:18-43 years, complaining mainly of infertility or accidently discovered azoospermia during premarital check-up or chronic testicular pain caused by longstanding varicocele. Infertile Non Obstructive Azoospermia (NOA) (n=40) subjected to varicocelectomy and patients evaluated 3 months after varicocelectomy by semen analysis, then according to results population divided into 2 groups: Group A (Responders): Patients with positive semen analysis for sperms 3 months after varicocelectomy. Group B (Non Responders): Patients with no sperms in semen analysis in 3 and/or 6 months after varicocelectomy. Method of Estimation of human TEX101 in semen: A 1 ml collected semen samples were centrifuged for 20 minutes at 1000xg at 4 o C, then supernatant of each sample was collected for estimation of TEX101. The human TEX101 (Testis expressed 101) was assayed by commercially available ELISA kit supplied by Wuhan Fine Biotech Co., Ltd. China. Principle of the procedure: This kit was based on sandwich enzyme-linked immune-sorbent assay technique. Anti- TEX101 antibody was pre-coated onto 96-well plate. The biotin conjugated antibody was used as detection antibodies. The standards, test samples and biotin conjugated detection antibody were added to the wells subsequently, and washed with wash buffer. HRP-Streptavidin was added and unbound conjugates were washed away with wash buffer. TMB substrates were used to visualize HRP enzymatic reaction. TMB was catalyzed by HRP to produce a blue color product that changed into yellow after adding acidic stop solution. The intensity of yellow is proportional to the target amount of sample captured in plate.

Official Title
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Seminal TEX101 as a Predictor of Recovery of Spermatogenesis in Azoospermic Men With Palpable Varicocele

Conditions
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Azoospermia, Nonobstructive, Varicocele

Intervention / Treatment
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* Procedure: micro-surgical varicocelectomy


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Azoospermia in at least 2 separate semen analyses Palpable varicocele Exclusion Criteria: Obstructive azoospermia Abnormal Karyotype Previous chemotherapy, radiotherapy and or diagnosed maligancy. previous testicular of inguinal surgeries. secondary azoospermia

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 50 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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Male

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Diagnostic
Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Men with Azoospermia and varicocele<br>In this single arm study, TEX 101 is measured in the seminal fluid of all participants, and it will be used as a predictor for appearance of sperms in the ejaculate in 3 and 6 moths follow-up periods | Procedure: micro-surgical varicocelectomy<br>* Sub-inguinal micro-surgical varicocelectomy<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Sperm retrieval in ejaculate | finding sperms in the ejaculate | 3 months follow-up | 
| Sperm retrieval in ejaculate | finding sperms in the ejaculate | 6 months follow-up | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Varicocele, Azoospermia, TEX 101