[The value of pre-operative semen analysis as a restore index of fertilizing capacity after varicocelectomy].
OBJECTIVE
To discuss the value of pre-operative semen analysis of patients with varicocele as a predictive restore index of sperm motility and fertilizing capacity after varicocelectomy.


METHODS
Semen analysis was carried out with computer-aided sperm analyzer in 107 patients with varicocele and all patients were referred to the clinic with diagnosis of male infertility. Stratification of patients as group A (n = 32), B ( n = 36) and C (n = 39) was based on pre-operative total motile sperm count (TMSC). Follow-up included semen analysis and pregnancy data after three months following left or bilateral varicocelectomy.


RESULTS
The average post-operative TMSC increased significantly when compared with the pre-operative. However, a mean absolute increase in group A and B was better than that in group C (P < 0.05). Of the 68 patients in groups A and B based on pre-operative TMSC, 56 patients' TMSC (82.4%) was > or =20 x 10(6) after varicocelectomy, and that of only 8 (20.5%) patients in group C was > or =20 x 10(6) following varicocelectomy. Of the 98 patients wives, 36 had natural conception. Pregnancy rates in groups A and B were higher than that in group C (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Varicocelectomy may be the most effective method to patients with varicocele with pre-operative TMSC > or = 5 x 10(6), but it may be not the best method for patients with severe oligoasthenospermia (pre-operative TMSC < 5 x 10(6)).
Gui
Xiang
X
Department of Urology, the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical College, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221002, China. gxx112@21cn.com
Chen
Jia-Cun
JC
Sun
Xiao-Qing
XQ
Wen
Ru-Min
RM
Chen
Ren-Fu
RF
Zheng
Jun-Nian
JN
Zhang
Cheng-Jing
CJ
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D008026:Ligation; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D012661:Semen / Q000502:physiology*; D013076:Sperm Count; D013081:Sperm Motility; D014646:Varicocele / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery