Does the gonadotropin-releasing hormone stimulation test predict clinical outcomes after microsurgical varicocelectomy?
OBJECTIVE
To examine the predictive value of the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) stimulation test in a large cohort of infertile men undergoing varicocelectomy.


METHODS
We examined the records of 144 consecutive infertile couples in whom the man underwent microsurgical varicocelectomy between September 1998 and December 2002. All men underwent a GnRH stimulation test before surgery. Data on the preoperative and postoperative semen parameters, pregnancy outcome, and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone increase after GnRH stimulation were recorded.


RESULTS
The mean (+/-SE) sperm concentration and motility 6 months after varicocelectomy were significantly greater than the preoperative values (25.3 +/- 2.4 versus 19.7 +/- 2.1 x 10(6)/mL and 29.2% +/- 1.4% versus 25.3% +/- 1.3%, respectively, P <0.05). Overall, 28% of the couples achieved a spontaneous pregnancy at a mean of 22 months of follow-up. The median elevation in the FSH and luteinizing hormone value 60 minutes after GnRH administration was 1.8 and 5.6 times the baseline level, respectively. No statistically significant relationship was found between the FSH or LH response to GnRH stimulation and improvement in the semen parameters or positive pregnancy outcome in our population.


CONCLUSIONS
Our data showed that the FSH response to bolus GnRH stimulation does not predict improvement in semen parameters or unassisted pregnancy outcome in couples in whom the man undergoes varicocelectomy (for treatment of varicocele). The study was the largest of its type and sufficiently powered to validate these findings. The results indicate that the bolus GnRH stimulation test is of no clinical value in the treatment of infertile men with varicoceles.
O'Brien
Jeanne
J
Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Mount Sinai Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Bowles
Ben
B
Kamal
Khaled M
KM
Jarvi
Keith
K
Zini
Armand
A
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000032:analysis; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008866:Microsurgery; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013076:Sperm Count; D013081:Sperm Motility; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014646:Varicocele / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*
D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone