Skip to main content
Log in

Relationship between the number of veins ligated in a varicocelectomy with testicular volume, hormonal levels and semen parameters outcome

  • Andrology
  • Published:
Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose: Correlate semen analysis, hormones, and testicular volume with the number of veins ligated.

Methods: Patients were divided into three groups: Group 1 (≤5 veins), Group 2 (6–10 veins), and Group 3 (> 10 veins). We evaluated testicular volume, hormonal levels, sperm concentration, and motility before and after the surgical procedure.

Results: In Group 1, even though there was an improvement in both testicular volume and sperm concentration; testosterone levels and sperm motility did not improve with surgery. In Group 2, no changes were detected in the both testicular volumes, in sperm concentration, motility, and testosterone levels. In Group 3, an improvement was seen in the right testicle volume, testosterone levels, and sperm concentration. Follicle-stimulating hormone levels decreased following the surgical procedure in all groups.

Conclusion: Patients with more than 10 ligated veins have better chances to improve sperm concentration. FSH levels decreased in all groups of patients.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Schlesinger MH, Wilets IF, Nagler HM: Treatment outcome after varicocelectomy. Urol Clin North Am 1994;21:517–529

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Kamal KM, Javeri K, Zini A: Microsurgical varicocelectomy in the era of assisted reproductive technology: Influence of initial semen quality on pregnancy rates. Fertil Steril 2001;75:1013–1016

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Sharlip ID, Jarow JP, Belker AM, et al: Best Practice Policy Committee of the American Urological Association, Inc Fertil Steril 2002;77(5):873–8

    Google Scholar 

  4. Redmon JB, Carey P, Pryor JL: Varicocele—the most common cause of male factor infertility. Hum Reprod Update 2002;8(1):53–58

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Pasqualotto FF, Lucon AM, Hallak J, et al.: Induction of spermatogenesis in azoospermic men undergoing varicocele repair. Hum Reprod 2003;18:108–112

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Matthews GJ, Matthews ED, Goldstein M: Induction of spermatogenesis and achievement of pregnancy after microsurgical varicocelectomy in men with azoospermia and severe oligoasthenospermia. Fertil Steril 1998;70:71–75

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Kim ED, Leibman BB, Grinblat DM, et al: Varicocele repair improves semen parameters in azoospermic men with spermatogenic failure. J Urol 1999;162:737–740

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Kadioglu A, Tefkeli A, Cayan S, et al: Microsurgical inguinal varicocele repair in azoospermic men. Urology 2001;57:328–333

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Esteves SC, Glina S: Recovery of spermatogenesis after microsurgical varicocele repair in azoospermic men is related to testicular histology. J Urol suppl 1999;Abst:1199, 311

  10. Marmar JL: The pathophysiology of varicoceles in the light of current molecular and genetic information. Hum Reprod Update 2001;7(5):461–472

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Naughton C, Nangia A, Agarwal A: Pathophysiology of varicoceles in male infertility. Hum Reprod Update 2002;7:473–481

    Google Scholar 

  12. Pasqualotto FF, Sharma RK, Nelson DR, et al: Relationship between oxidative stress, semen characteristics and clinical diagnosis in men undergoing infertility investigation. Fertil Steril 2000;73:459–464

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Sharma RK, Pasqualotto FF, Nelson DR, Thomas AJ Jr, Agarwal A: ROS-TAC is a novel marker of oxidative stress. Hum Reprod 1999;14:2801–2807

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Steckel J, Dicker AP, Goldstein M: Relationship between varicocele size and response to varicocelectomy. J Urol 1993;149:769–771

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Schlesinger MH, Wilets IF, Nagler HM: Treatment outcome after varicocelectomy. Urol. Clin North Am 1994;21:517–29

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Zini A, Buckspan M, Berardinucci D, Jarvi K: The influence of clinical and subclinical varicocele on testicular volume. Fertil Steril 1997;68:671–674

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Belani J, Naughton CK: 58th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine 2002;76:S 210; P 288

    Google Scholar 

  18. Jarow JP: Effects of varicocele on male fertility. Hum Reprod Update 2001;7(1):59–64

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Cozzolino DJ, Lipshultz LI: Varicocele as a progressive lesion: Positive effect of varicocele repair. Hum. Reprod. Update 2001;17:55–58.

    Google Scholar 

  20. Takihara H, Sakatoku J, Cockett AT: The pathophysiology of varicocele in male infertility. Fertil Steril 1991;55:861–868

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Sofikitis N, Dritsas K, Miyagawa I, Koutselinis A: Anatomical characteristics of the left testicular venous system in man. Arch Androl 1993;30:79–85

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Sofikitis N, Miyagawa I: Effects of surgical repair of experimental left varicocele on testicular temperature, spermatogenesis, sperm maturation, endocrine function, and fertility in rabbits. Arch Androl 1992;29:163–175

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Sofikitis NV, Takahashi C, Nakamura I, Hirakawa S, Miyagawa I: Surgical repair of secondary right varicocele in rats with primary left varicocele: Effects on fertility, testicular temperature, spermatogenesis, and sperm maturation. Arch Androl 1992;28:43–52

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Scherr D, Goldstein M: Comparison of bilateral versus unilateral varicocelectomy in men with palpable bilateral varicoceles. J Urol 1999; 162:85–88

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Daitch JA, Bedaiwy MA, Pasqualotto EB, et al.: Varicocelectomy improves intrauterine insemination success rates in men with varicocele. J Urol 2001;165:1510–1513

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Shiraishi K, Takihara H, Naito K: Internal spermatic vein diameter and age at operation reflects the response to varicocelectomy. Andrologia 2001;33(6):351–355

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Fábio Firmbach Pasqualotto.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Pasqualotto, F.F., Lucon, A.M., de Góes, P.M. et al. Relationship between the number of veins ligated in a varicocelectomy with testicular volume, hormonal levels and semen parameters outcome. J Assist Reprod Genet 22, 245–249 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-005-5147-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-005-5147-4

Keywords

Navigation