Volume 49, Issue 3 Fall 2025 JVU 493-139 | Evaluation of Testicular Artery Resistive Index in Oligoasthenospermic Infertile Men-Evaluation of Testicular Artery Resistive Index in Oligoasthenospermic Infertile Men

Evaluation of Testicular Artery Resistive Index in Oligoasthenospermic Infertile Men

Pdf Summary

This 2025 case-control study, published in the Journal for Vascular Ultrasound, evaluated testicular artery Doppler indices in fertile versus oligoasthenospermic infertile men to explore diagnostic markers of male infertility. Infertility affects around 15% of couples globally, with male factors contributing to 20%-50% of cases; oligoasthenospermia—characterized by low sperm count and motility—is a common cause of male infertility.<br /><br />Sixty men aged 18-50 were studied, equally divided between fertile and infertile groups. Semen analysis showed infertile men had significantly lower sperm volume (mean 23.7 ml vs. 78.9 ml), motility (20.8% vs. 75.2%), and morphology (2.8% vs. 9.8%) compared to fertile men (all p < .05). Testicular volume and Doppler parameters such as peak systolic velocity (PSV) and end diastolic velocity (EDV) did not differ significantly between groups.<br /><br />However, Doppler indices measuring microcirculation—pulsatility index (PI) and resistive index (RI)—were significantly higher in infertile men’s testes (right testis PI: 1.5 vs. 1.1; RI: 0.7 vs 0.6; left testis PI: 1.4 vs. 1.09; RI: 0.7 vs. 0.6; all p < .05). Elevated PI and RI indicate impaired testicular blood flow and microvascular function, correlating with poor semen parameters.<br /><br />The study suggests that Doppler ultrasound assessment of testicular artery RI and PI offers valuable, noninvasive diagnostic and prognostic information for oligoasthenospermic male infertility. While testicular volume and conventional Doppler velocities were unremarkable, altered vascular resistance indices may reflect underlying spermatogenesis dysfunction. The authors recommend incorporating Doppler ultrasound into routine infertility evaluations alongside semen analysis to improve diagnosis and management, particularly in resource-limited settings. Further large-scale research is needed to establish standardized cutoff values and integrate vascular imaging with hormonal and genetic testing for comprehensive infertility assessment.

Keywords

male infertility

oligoasthenospermia

testicular artery Doppler

pulsatility index

resistive index

semen analysis

testicular microcirculation

diagnostic markers

vascular ultrasound

spermatogenesis dysfunction