Question:
Which of the following is a feature of obstructive azoospermia?
Which of the following is a feature of obstructive azoospermia?
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Production is intact, only the pipe is blocked, so feedback hormones stay normal.
Updated On: Jun 24, 2026
- High FSH, high testosterone
- Low FSH, high testosterone
- High FSH, low testosterone
- Normal FSH, normal testosterone
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The Correct Option is D
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Define azoospermia. Azoospermia is the complete absence of spermatozoa in the ejaculate. It is broadly divided into obstructive (post-testicular) and non-obstructive (pre-testicular or testicular) types.
Step 2: Understand the hormonal axis. Spermatogenesis is driven by the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. FSH acts on Sertoli cells to support sperm production, while LH acts on Leydig cells to drive testosterone synthesis. Inhibin B from Sertoli cells provides negative feedback on FSH.
Step 3: Reason out obstructive azoospermia. In obstructive azoospermia the testes are histologically normal and spermatogenesis is intact; the problem is a mechanical block in the ductal system (vas deferens, epididymis, or ejaculatory duct). Because the seminiferous tubules and Leydig cells function normally, feedback to the pituitary is preserved.
Step 4: Predict the hormone profile. Since spermatogenesis is normal, inhibin B and testosterone feedback keep gonadotropins in the normal range. Therefore FSH is normal and testosterone is normal.
Step 5: Contrast with non-obstructive azoospermia. In testicular failure (non-obstructive), reduced spermatogenesis lowers inhibin B feedback, so FSH rises (often > 2 to 3 times normal), helping clinically distinguish the two types.
Conclusion: Obstructive azoospermia is characterised by normal FSH and normal testosterone, so the answer is option D.
Step 2: Understand the hormonal axis. Spermatogenesis is driven by the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. FSH acts on Sertoli cells to support sperm production, while LH acts on Leydig cells to drive testosterone synthesis. Inhibin B from Sertoli cells provides negative feedback on FSH.
Step 3: Reason out obstructive azoospermia. In obstructive azoospermia the testes are histologically normal and spermatogenesis is intact; the problem is a mechanical block in the ductal system (vas deferens, epididymis, or ejaculatory duct). Because the seminiferous tubules and Leydig cells function normally, feedback to the pituitary is preserved.
Step 4: Predict the hormone profile. Since spermatogenesis is normal, inhibin B and testosterone feedback keep gonadotropins in the normal range. Therefore FSH is normal and testosterone is normal.
Step 5: Contrast with non-obstructive azoospermia. In testicular failure (non-obstructive), reduced spermatogenesis lowers inhibin B feedback, so FSH rises (often > 2 to 3 times normal), helping clinically distinguish the two types.
Conclusion: Obstructive azoospermia is characterised by normal FSH and normal testosterone, so the answer is option D.
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