Purpose: The applications, technique and limitations of testicular touch preparation cytology in evaluation of the infertile man are described.
Materials and methods: The technique and histological results of testicular touch preparation cytology for normal specimens and various pathological conditions of male infertility are described in detail.
Results: Testicular touch preparation cytology is able to differentiate between late spermatids and mature spermatozoa, as well as to identify other spermatogenic elements.
Conclusions: Touch preparation cytology has 2 important purposes: 1) distinguishing between maturation arrest at the late spermatid stage and normal spermatogenesis, and 2) determining whether obstruction is the cause of azoospermia. While testis biopsy is the gold standard, touch preparation cytology is an extremely important adjunct because of its ability to define whole sperm. The urologist and pathologist are better able to make a diagnosis when routine biopsy and touch preparation cytology are performed.