Elevation of serum testosterone and free testosterone after embolization of the internal spermatic vein for the treatment of varicocele in infertile men.
BACKGROUND
To evaluate the effect of internal spermatic vein (ISV) embolization on levels of serum testosterone and free testosterone and on spermatogenesis.


METHODS
The files of 83 infertile men treated for varicocele were reviewed for changes in serum testosterone, free testosterone and spermatogenesis after ISV embolization.


RESULTS
Mean serum testosterone concentration rose after embolization by 43%, from 12.07 +/- 6.07 nmol/l to 17.22 +/- 8.43 nmol/l (P<0.001). Mean serum free testosterone concentration rose by 72%, from 5.93 +/- 2.44 nmol/l to 10.21 +/- 7.69 nmol/l (P<0.001). Mean sperm concentration increased from 7.49 +/- 1.73 x 10(6)/ml to 18.14 +/- 2.36 x 10(6)/ml (P<0.001); mean sperm motility increased from 21.74 +/- 2.47 to 34.47 +/- 2.27% (P<0.001); and mean sperm morphology increased from 6.63 +/- 1.07 to 13.08 +/- 1.44% (P<0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
ISV embolization apparently induces an increase in both serum testosterone and free testosterone concentrations and in sperm parameters in infertile patient with varicocele, regardless of the size of the varicocele.
Andrology Unit, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Rabin Medical Center, Beilinson Campus, Petah Tiqva and Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
Yigal
Y
Gat
Michael
M
Gornish
Alexander
A
Belenky
Gil N
GN
Bachar
D000328:Adult; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013081:Sperm Motility; D013085:Spermatic Cord / Q000098:blood supply*; D013091:Spermatogenesis; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood*; D014646:Varicocele / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D014680:Veins
D013739:Testosterone