Structural sperm and aneuploidies studies in a case of spermatogenesis recovery after the use of androgenic anabolic steroids

Purpose: Azoospermia may sometimes be related to the use of androgenic anabolic steroids. We report the case of an azoospermic man who had abused androgenic anabolic steroids and who recovered spermatogenesis six months after cessation of abuse and the administration of hormonal therapy. Methods: An azoospermic 34-year-old man came to Regional Referral Center for Male Infertility. The recovery of spermatogenesis was observed after the cessation of abuse of steroids and the administration of hormonal therapy. Ultrastructural analysis of sperm was carried out by transmission electron microscopy, and the meiotic segregation of chromosomes 1, 9, 18, X, Y was investigated. Results: Mathematically elaborated transmission electron microscopy data highlighted seminal features close to normal fertility. Fluorescence in situ hybridisation showed a high frequency of XY disomy in sperm. Conclusions: Our findings confirm the recovery of spermatogenesis but suggest a possible relationship between altered meiotic segregation and the abuse of androgenic anabolic steroids. © 2007 Springer Science+Business Media, Inc.