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Assessing three-dimensional testicular vascularization in men from infertile couples using VOCAL software
- Authors: Ryzhov J.R.1, Kopteeva E.V.1, Bespalov N.A.1, Sagurova Y.M.1, Ishchuk M.A.1, Borovets S.Y.1, Kogan I.Y.1
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Affiliations:
- Research Institute of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductology named after D.O. Ott
- Issue: Vol 16, No 1 (2026)
- Pages: 71-79
- Section: Original study articles
- Submitted: 02.12.2025
- Accepted: 29.03.2026
- Published: 31.03.2026
- URL: https://journals.eco-vector.com/uroved/article/view/697494
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.17816/uroved697494
- EDN: https://elibrary.ru/OTTJEC
- ID: 697494
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Abstract
BACKGROUND: Identifying the causes of spermatogenesis disorders has both medical and social importance.
AIM: This study aimed to determine the relationship between testicular microcirculation parameters assessed by 3D ultrasound using VOCAL (Virtual Organ Computer-aided Analysis) software and ejaculate parameters in men from infertile couples.
METHODS: This prospective, cross-sectional pilot study involved 24 men undergoing couple infertility examination. All men underwent semen analysis, testing for antisperm antibodies in the ejaculate, assessment of the proportion of spermatozoa with fragmented DNA using the TUNEL (Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling) assay, and scrotal ultrasound with 3D VOCAL visualization. The following parameters were assessed: testicular volume, vascularization index, flow index, vascularization-flow index, and mean signal intensity.
RESULTS: The vascularization index and vascularization-flow index correlated significantly with the proportion of progressively motile spermatozoa (r = 0.42, p = 0.04; r = 0.43, p = 0.03, respectively) and significantly negatively with the proportion of immotile spermatozoa (r = −0.43, p = 0.04, r = −0.46, p = 0.02, respectively).
CONCLUSION: This study is the first to use 3D angiography with VOCAL software to assess testicular microcirculation in men from infertile couples. This pilot study demonstrated the relationship between testicular blood supply and spermatogenesis parameters.
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About the authors
Julian R. Ryzhov
Research Institute of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductology named after D.O. Ott
Author for correspondence.
Email: julian.ryzhov@gmail.com
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-5073-8279
SPIN-code: 8320-1234
MD, Cand. Sci. (Medicine)
Russian Federation, Saint PetersburgEkaterina V. Kopteeva
Research Institute of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductology named after D.O. Ott
Email: ekaterina_kopteeva@bk.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-9328-8909
SPIN-code: 9421-6407
MD, Cand. Sci. (Medicine)
Russian Federation, Saint PetersburgNikolai A. Bespalov
Research Institute of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductology named after D.O. Ott
Email: st088151@student.spbu.ru
ORCID iD: 0009-0005-2264-6018
MD
Russian Federation, Saint PetersburgYanina M. Sagurova
Research Institute of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductology named after D.O. Ott
Email: yanina.sagurova96@mail.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0003-4947-8171
SPIN-code: 8908-7033
MD
Russian Federation, Saint PetersburgMariia A. Ishchuk
Research Institute of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductology named after D.O. Ott
Email: mashamazilina@gmail.com
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-4443-4287
SPIN-code: 1237-6373
Russian Federation, Saint Petersburg
Sergey Yu. Borovets
Research Institute of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductology named after D.O. Ott
Email: sborovets@mail.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0003-2162-6291
SPIN-code: 2482-0230
MD, Dr. Sci. (Medicine), Professor
Russian Federation, Saint PetersburgIgor Yu. Kogan
Research Institute of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductology named after D.O. Ott
Email: ikogan@mail.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-7351-6900
SPIN-code: 6572-6450
MD, Dr. Sci. (Medicine), Professor, Associate Member of Russian Academy of Sciences
Russian Federation, Saint PetersburgReferences
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