Varicocelectomy: semen parameters and protamine deficiency

Int J Androl. 2009 Apr;32(2):115-22. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2605.2007.00822.x. Epub 2007 Oct 30.

Abstract

Different methods have been used to evaluate the beneficial effect of varicocelectomy; these include semen parameters and pregnancy rate. Because of high biological variability of semen parameters, sperm functional tests have been considered as an efficient end point in assessment of fertility. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of varicocelectomy on semen parameters and sperm protamine deficiency in 192 patients. The results of the present study show that all the three semen parameters and percentage of sperms with normal protamine content have improved post-surgery. The cumulative pregnancy rate was 34.6%. Comparing the results of the semen parameters and protamine content between patients whose partner became pregnant to those who did not benefit from varicocelectomy before and 6 months after surgery, show that patients may benefit from varicocelectomy that had higher initial semen density and better sperm morphology prior to surgery. Detailed analyses of sperm morphology, along with aforementioned results reveal that the factors which account for pregnancy difference are: (i) improvement in early events of spermatogenesis, possibly during spermatocytogenesis and reduction division; and (ii) late spermiogenesis events. Thus, it can be suggested that patients with low initial sperm count may benefit more from assisted reproductive techniques or varicocelectomy followed by assisted reproduction.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Chromatin / metabolism
  • Chromomycin A3
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Pregnancy
  • Protamines / metabolism*
  • Semen / metabolism
  • Semen / physiology
  • Semen Analysis*
  • Varicocele / metabolism
  • Varicocele / surgery*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Chromatin
  • Protamines
  • Chromomycin A3