title: Deterioration of semen parameters over time in men with untreated varicocele: evidence of progressive testicular damage.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To report observations of semen parameters in men with untreated varicocele over time.
  
  
  METHODS
  Semen parameters in 13 men with varicoceles were obtained at initial presentation, and re-evaluated at a 9 to 96-month interval because of persistent infertility.
  
  
  METHODS
  Outpatient male fertility clinic.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirteen men who presented for fertility evaluation and who were found to have varicocele(s) and normal semen parameters. Re-evaluation was performed because of continued fertility problems.
  
  
  METHODS
  None.
  
  
  METHODS
  Semen parameters, especially sperm density, sperm mobility, and total sperm.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Statistically significant deterioration was noted from normal to abnormal.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In males with varicocele(s), normal semen parameters should not routinely be expected to remain normal over time.
authors.affiliation: St. Louis University School of Medicine, Missouri.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Chehval
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Purcell
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012661:Semen / Q000502:physiology*; D013076:Sperm Count; D013081:Sperm Motility; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000502:physiology*; D014646:Varicocele / Q000503:physiopathology*