title: The value of testicular biopsy in patients with varicocele.
abstract: With the use of semi-thin sections of 88 testicular biopsies from 44 patients, we were able to separate a relatively uniform group of patients with idiopathic left varicocele and infertility into 4 groups with different pathophysiological conditions. Group 1 patients had atrophy of the Leydig cells, decreased Leydig cell ratio, low plasma testosterone, and normal luteinizing and follicle-stimulating hormone levels. Surgery resulted in a significant improvement in sperm count. Group 2 patients had undergone attempted repair of Leydig cells, and had a normal Leydig cell ratio, and normal testosterone, luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone plasma values. Group 3 patients demonstrated hyperplasia and an increased Leydig cell ratio, high luteinizing and follicle-stimulating hormone values, and relatively high testosterone values. Group 4 patients had an increased Leydig cell ratio but severe atrophy of the Leydig cells and tubuli, indicating burned out testes with high luteinizing and follicle-stimulating hormone but low testosterone levels. A successful operation failed to increase the sperm count in the latter groups. The technique used should allow better patient selection for medical treatment, as well as lead to a better understanding of the etiopathogenesis of infertility in varicocele patients. Therefore, the histological technique has an important role in the evaluation of patients suffering from infertility in general.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Hadziselimovic
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Leibundgut
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Da Rugna
authors.forename: M W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Buser
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001706:Biopsy; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D007985:Leydig Cells / Q000473:pathology; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013076:Sperm Count; D013737:Testis / Q000473:pathology*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood; D014646:Varicocele / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D013739:Testosterone; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone