Semen profile, testicular volume, and hormonal levels in infertile patients with varicoceles compared with fertile men with and without varicoceles.
OBJECTIVE
To assess semen analysis, testicular volume, and hormone levels in fertile and infertile patients with varicoceles and fertile men without varicoceles.


METHODS
Retrospective study.


METHODS
Academic medical center.


METHODS
Patients were divided into three groups: fertile men with varicoceles (n = 79), infertile men with varicoceles (n = 71), and fertile men without varicoceles (n = 217).


METHODS
None.


METHODS
Levels of LH, FSH, and total T and testicular volume in fertile and infertile men with varicoceles and fertile controls without varicoceles.


RESULTS
LH (IU/L) and T (ng/dl) levels were not statistically different across the three groups. FSH levels were significantly higher in infertile men with varicoceles (7.8 +/- 7.6 IU/L) than in the fertile men with varicoceles (3.5 +/- 2.1 IU/L) or in fertile men without varicoceles (3.5 +/- 1.9 IU/L). The right testicle was smaller in infertile patients with varicoceles (18.7 +/- 8.3 cm(3)) than in fertile men with varicoceles (25.2 +/- 13 cm(3)) or in fertile men without varicoceles (24.9 +/- 10.7 cm(3)). In addition, the left testicle was smaller in infertile men with varioceles (17.6 +/- 8.9 cm(3)) than in fertile men with varicoceles (21.6 +/- 7.8 cm(3)) or in fertile men without varicoceles (23.4 +/- 8.3 cm(3)). Sperm concentration was lower in infertile men with varicoceles (33.7 +/- 23.3 x 10(6)/mL) than in fertile men with varicoceles (101.8 +/- 76.6 x 10(6)/mL) or in fertile men without varicoceles (111.8 +/- 74.2 x 10(6)/mL). In addition, sperm motility was lower in infertile men with varicoceles (37.2% +/- 23.9%) than in fertile men with varicoceles (53.9% +/- 17.4%) or fertile men without varicoceles (58.9% +/- 15.8%).


CONCLUSIONS
Infertile patients with varicoceles have higher levels of FSH, smaller testes, and lower sperm concentration and motility compared with controls with or without varicoceles. No statistical differences were seen in the variables evaluated among the fertile men with incidental varicoceles detected at physical examination and those without varicoceles.
Pasqualotto
Fábio Firmbach
FF
Divisão de Clínica Urológica, Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. pasquaf@hotmail.com
Lucon
Antônio Marmo
AM
de Góes
Plínio Moreira
PM
Sobreiro
Bernardo Passos
BP
Hallak
Jorge
J
Pasqualotto
Eleonora Bedin
EB
Arap
Sami
S
D000328:Adult; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology*; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013076:Sperm Count; D013081:Sperm Motility; D013737:Testis / Q000473:pathology*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood; D014646:Varicocele / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology*
D013739:Testosterone; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone