[Immunology and deterioration of seminal parameters in varicocele].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the occurrence of antisperm antibodies (ASAs) and their correlation to semen parameters in varicocele patients.


METHODS
Semen samples from 137 patients with unilateral palpable clinical varicocele aged 15-35 years who consulted at the Infertility and Urology services of the Provincial del Centenario and Eva Peron teaching hospitals in Rosario (Argentina) were collected and analyzed according to the WHO standardized protocols and ASAs were tested with TAC II. Statistical analyses were performed using log linear models.


RESULTS
Motility was impaired in 67.2% (p < 0.001) and morphology in 97.1%. Sperm concentration decreased in 19.7%, although it was not statistically different from that of the normal population. Of the infertile population with varicocele, 46.7% had positive ASAs with TAC II.


CONCLUSIONS
We found a statistically significant correlation only between motility and sperm count (p < 0.01). Our study indicates that the severe dysspermia observed may be caused by autoimmune processes that trigger cellular and humoral mechanisms.
Solis
E A
EA
Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Argentina.
Gatti
V N
VN
Brufman
A S
AS
Bouvet
B R
BR
Conforti
C B
CB
Papparella
C V
CV
Provenzal
O
O
Dante Balauz
N C
NC
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000276:immunology* / Q000502:physiology*; D014646:Varicocele / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology*
D001323:Autoantibodies