Testis volumes, semen quality, and hormonal patterns in adolescents with and without a varicocele.
OBJECTIVE
To study the effects of varicocele on testicular function in adolescents.


METHODS
A prospective controlled study in 88 randomly selected adolescents.


METHODS
All participants were referred to the fertility outpatient clinic of our University Hospital.


METHODS
All participants with a grade II varicocele (group 2) or a grade III varicocele (group 3) were selected at a district military medical council, whereas a similar group of healthy volunteers without a varicocele served as controls (group 3).


METHODS
Testis volumes were measured using an orchiometer. Semen analysis was performed according to standard procedures, and serum hormone levels were determined using a radioimmunoassay.


METHODS
Testis volumes, semen quality, and hormonal parameters in adolescents with and without a varicocele were compared.


RESULTS
In group 1 (n = 21), the mean left testis volume (24.5 mL; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 22.8 to 26.2) was significantly (P less than 0.05) different from group 2 (n = 15) (20.9 mL: 95% CI: 18.5 to 23.4) and group 3 (n = 52) (20.7 mL; 95% CI: 19.2 to 22.2) (P less than 0.01) adolescents. In adolescents with a pronounced varicocele-associated left testicular growth failure, the total sperm number was reduced. However, sperm concentration, motility, and morphology were not altered. Luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, testosterone, and prolactin levels were all within the normal ranges in the three groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Left testicular growth failure in adolescents with a varicocele is only associated with a decrease in total sperm number.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital Utrecht, The Netherlands.
L C
LC
Haans
J S
JS
Laven
W P
WP
Mali
E R
ER
te Velde
C J
CJ
Wensing
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D010908:Pituitary Hormones, Anterior / Q000097:blood*; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012661:Semen / Q000502:physiology*; D013076:Sperm Count; D013081:Sperm Motility; D013737:Testis / Q000254:growth & development / Q000473:pathology*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood*; D014646:Varicocele / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology
D010908:Pituitary Hormones, Anterior; D013739:Testosterone; D011388:Prolactin; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone