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CompletedNCT04237779Updated Nov 24, 2020

The Effects of Intratesticular PRP Injection in Men With Azoospermia or Cryptozoospermia

An interventional study of PRP injection into at least one testis in Azoospermia, Nonobstructive, sponsored by Acibadem University. Completed at 1 site in Turkey. Open to male participants aged 25 Years to 65 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2020-11-24.

Sponsored by Acibadem University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment

Phase
Not applicable
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
200
Allocation
Not applicable
Ages
25 Years to 65 Years
Sex
Male
01

Study summary

The study will be conducted in men with a diagnosis of non-obstructive azoospermia or cryptozoospermia after obtaining written informed consent. The diagnosis of azoospermia and cryptozoospermia will be based on two semen analyses performed at least 15 days apart, followed by a documented micro testicular sperm extraction (TESE). A detailed history will be obtained, physical examination and laboratory evaluation will be performed prior to treatment. In physical examination, testicular volumes will be evaluated using an orchiometer. Serum FSH and testosterone values will be determined. PRP will be prepared by centrifugation of approximately 20 ml autologous blood obtained by phlebotomy. PRP (3 ml) will be administered into the seminiferous tubule or interstitial space of each testis. Sperm analysis, testicular volume (using orchiometer), serum FSH and testosterone levels will be reevaluated at 8 weeks post-procedure. Micro TESE will performed on the third month after PRP procedure.

Read the detailed description

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a unique autologous agent derived from blood that is rich in growth factors, cytokines, and hormones; it has been reported to reduce oxidative stress and reactive oxygen species generation and upregulate the expression of various antioxidant enzymes. PRP is used in a variety of clinical applications in cell therapy. Based on World Health Organization guidelines, azoospermia is diagnosed when the absence of sperm is observed in two semen samples. Based on World Health Organization (WHO), cryptozoospermia is diagnosed when spermatozoa cannot be observed in a fresh semen sample; however, it is found after an extended centrifugation and microscopic search. All patients require a clinical work-up with physical examination, endocrine evaluation (follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and testosterone) and genetic analysis. Scrotal and transrectal ultrasounds will be performed as indicated. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP), with its rich growth factor composition, has proven beneficial in regenerative therapy. The potential therapeutic role of PRP has not been studied in testis for non-obstructive azoospermia and cryptozoospermia. The investigators will investigate sperm parameters in non-obstructive azoospermic and crypotozoospermic patients treated with PRP.

02

Conditions studied

  • Azoospermia, Nonobstructive
03

In context

Azoospermia, Nonobstructive

23 studies on the registry are indexed under Azoospermia, Nonobstructive; 7 are open to participants now.

This study's enrollment of 200 is above the median of 61 across 12 interventional studies indexed under Azoospermia, Nonobstructive.

Browse Azoospermia, Nonobstructive studies →

Lead sponsor

Acibadem University is the lead sponsor of 220 studies on the registry; 51 are open to participants now.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
25 Years to 65 Years
Sexes eligible
Male
Accepts healthy volunteers
No

Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.

Inclusion criteria

  • Azoospermia in at least 2 prior semen analysis.
  • Diagnosis of Non-Obstructive Azoospermia or Diagnosis of Cryptozoospermia

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Obstructive Azospermia
  • Anatomical abnormalities in the genital tract,
  • Cancer,
  • Hepatitis
  • Patients with systemic medical problems
  • Patients with chromosomal disorders
05

Study design

Phase
Not applicable
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Not applicable
Intervention model
Single group
Masking
None (open label)
Enrollment
200 participants (actual)

Study arms

  • Experimental
    PRP injection into at least one testis

    Autologous blood obtained from peripheral vein will be used to prepare PRP following standard protocols. PRP injection will be performed under local anesthesia. Sperm analysis, testicular volumes (using orchiometer), serum FSH and testosterone measurements will be re-evaluated at 8 weeks post-procedure. On the third month after the procedure, presence of spermatozoa will be reassessed in microTESE material.

    Biological: PRP injection into at least one testis

Interventions

  • BiologicalPRP injection into at least one testis

    Autologous blood obtained from peripheral vein will be used to prepare PRP following standard protocols. PRP injection will be performed under local anesthesia. Sperm analysis, testicular volumes (using orchiometer), serum FSH and testosterone measurements will be re-evaluated at 8 weeks post-procedure. On the third month after the procedure, presence of spermatozoa will be reassessed in micro testicular sperm extraction (TESE) material.

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What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. sperm formation

    Number of participants with testicular PRP treatment as assessed by testicular sperm extraction, change from azoospermia or cryptozoospermia to presence of sperm during TESE procedure

    Time frame: 6 months

Secondary outcomes

  1. IVF outcomes

    Number of participants with testicular PRP after TESE as assessed by number of clinical pregnancies, change in the clinical pregnancy rates with IVF treatment.

    Time frame: 12 months

07

Study locations

1 site
  • Acıbadem Maslak Hospital IVF Unit
    Istanbul, Turkey
08

References and documents

Publications

  • Dhurat R, Sukesh M. Principles and Methods of Preparation of Platelet-Rich Plasma: A Review and Author's Perspective. J Cutan Aesthet Surg. 2014 Oct-Dec;7(4):189-97. doi: 10.4103/0974-2077.150734. PubMed 25722595 ↗
  • Dehghani F, Sotoude N, Bordbar H, Panjeshahin MR, Karbalay-Doust S. The use of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) to improve structural impairment of rat testis induced by busulfan. Platelets. 2019;30(4):513-520. doi: 10.1080/09537104.2018.1478400. Epub 2018 Jun 8. PubMed 29883240 ↗

Individual participant data

Plan to share: No

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Updates

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Nov 24, 2020, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
10

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT04237779
Responsible party
Bulent Tiras (Prof., Acibadem University) — Principal investigator
First posted
Jan 23, 2020
Start date
Jan 27, 2020
Primary completion
Oct 31, 2020
Completion
Nov 21, 2020
Last update
Nov 24, 2020

Study contacts

Yigit Cakiroglu, Assoc.Prof.
study director · Acibadem University

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

Not currently enrolling

This study is completed, as verified in Nov 2020. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.

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