title: Detrimental effect of left varicocele on the reproductive capacity of the early haploid male gamete.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Tottori University School of Medicine, Yonago, Japan.
authors.forename: N V
authors.initials: NV
authors.lastname: Sofikitis
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Miyagawa
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Incze
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Andrighetti
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005306:Fertilization; D008297:Male; D011817:Rabbits; D013087:Spermatids / Q000502:physiology*; D014646:Varicocele / Q000503:physiopathology*