Detrimental effect of left varicocele on the reproductive capacity of the early haploid male gamete.
OBJECTIVE
We evaluated the fertilizing capacity of round spermatids recovered from varicocelized rabbits.


METHODS
A left varicocele model was created in 5 rabbits (Group A). Four rabbits underwent a sham operation (Group B). After 3 months round spermatid nuclei were collected from the left testicle of each rabbit and injected into oocytes. Oocytes were cultured for 24 hours.


RESULTS
The proportion of 2- to 4-cell stage embryos to the successfully injected oocytes was significantly lower in group A than in group B (p < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings indicate a detrimental effect of varicocele on the fertilizing potential of round spermatid.
Sofikitis
N V
NV
Department of Urology, Tottori University School of Medicine, Yonago, Japan.
Miyagawa
I
I
Incze
P
P
Andrighetti
S
S
D000818:Animals; D005306:Fertilization; D008297:Male; D011817:Rabbits; D013087:Spermatids / Q000502:physiology*; D014646:Varicocele / Q000503:physiopathology*