Background
Varicocele is the most common cause of male infertility. Varicocele affects
spermatogenesis negatively by increasing the levels of reactive oxygen species.
Varicocelectomy may improve spermatogenesis and semen parameters.
Aim
To detect the efficacy of microsurgical varicocelectomy in decreasing seminal oxidative
stress and improving sperm parameters and sperm ultrastructure in infertile male
patients.
Methods
Twenty-five infertile patients with third-degree varicocele were included in this study.
Assessment of the levels of lipid peroxidation in seminal plasma, semen analysis and
transmission electron microscopy examination were carried out before and 4 months
after microsurgical varicocelectomy.
Results
A significant decrease in the malondialdehyde level was found after varicocelectomy
(Po0.01). All sperm parameters except abnormal tail and ultrastructural sperm
abnormalities improved significantly after varicocelectomy.
Limitations
The small sample and the lack of a control group are the main limitations of this study.
Conclusion
Although there is no conclusive evidence that varicocele repair improves spontaneous
pregnancy rates, it was found that microsurgical varicocelectomy improved sperm
parameters and sperm ultrastructure.