Absence of chlamydial deoxyribonucleic acid from testicular and epididymal samples from men with obstructive azoospermia.

OBJECTIVE

To identify Chlamydia trachomatis DNA by polymerase chain reaction in the upper genital tract of men with obstructive azoospermia compared with men seeking vasectomy reversal.

DESIGN

Case-control study.

SETTING

Tertiary referral center, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Aberdeen, United Kingdom.

PATIENT(S): Cases were men with idiopathic obstructive azoospermia, and controls were men with azoospermia secondary to vasectomy.

INTERVENTION(S): Chlamydia trachomatis-specific DNA test by polymerase chain reaction on testicular and epididymal biopsy samples, as well as epididymal aspirate.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Presence of Chlamydia trachomatis DNA.

RESULT(S): We did not detect the presence of Chlamydia trachomatis-specific DNA by polymerase chain reaction in the epididymis or testis of 36 asymptomatic men with obstructive azoospermia (14 cases, 22 controls).

CONCLUSION(S): Our hypothesis that unrecognized, asymptomatic chlamydial infection will lead to complete bilateral obstruction of the male genital tract remains unproven.