Synonyms: germ cell arrest, spermatogenic arrest
Histologic features in a testicular biopsy:
(1) complete interruption of spermatogenesis at a certain stage (maturation to a certain stage but no further)
(2) uniform in all tubules (homogenous)
The presence of focal spermatid maturation in a background of maturation arrest is better termed hypospermatogenesis with a heterogenous pattern.
Conditions associated with maturation arrest:
(1) gonadotropin insufficiency
(2) chemotherapy
(3) radiation
(4) heat (potentially reversible)
(5) infection (potentially reversible)
(6) hormonal disorder (potentially reversible)
(7) malnutrition (potentially reversible)
(8) chromosomal abnormality with impaired meiosis