ABSTRACT
About 15% of couples of reproductive age are affected by infertility, and in some 50% the male is the sole or main contributor1. The identification and initial classification of male infertility still rely on the results of semen analysis (i.e. azoospermia, oligozoospermia, asthenozoospermia, teratozoospermia or a combination), but this method alone is insufficient to determine a specific etiology of the disorder. A complete work-up, including detailed history and physical examination, hormonal and immunological assays, ultrasound or Doppler studies and genetic and chromosome testing is essential2. Recent advances in molecular genetics have greatly improved our understanding of many unexplained forms; however, 50% of cases still remain unclassified3.
