Varicocele sclerotherapy improves serum inhibin B levels and seminal parameters.
The usefulness of treating varicocele in order to improve fertility is still a matter of debate. The aim of this study was to evaluate variations in seminal parameters and inhibin B concentrations in a group of males affected by varicocele and treated by percutaneous retrograde sclerotherapy in comparison with a group of patients who did not undergo varicocele treatment. Thirty-eight patients with left varicocele underwent spermatic vein phlebography and percutaneous retrograde sclerotherapy with hydroxy-polyaethoxy-dodecanol. Serum inhibin B, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), testosterone levels and seminal parameters (sperm concentration, motility and morphology) were performed before and 6 months after sclerotherapy. Forty patients with left varicocele who did not undergo sclerotherapy were studied as controls. A significant increase (p < 0.01) in serum inhibin B levels and a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in FSH levels were observed 6 months after treatment. Semen analysis showed a significant improvement in sperm concentration (p < 0.05) and progressive motility (p < 0.01) after treatment. In control group no significant variations in hormonal and seminal parameters were observed 6 months after the basal examination. Six months after the basal evaluation, inhibin B levels were significantly higher in treated subjects than in controls (p < 0.05) whereas FSH levels were significantly lower (p < 0.05). Sperm concentration and progressive motility were significantly increased (p < 0.05 and p < 0.001, respectively) in treated subjects in comparison with controls. In conclusion, varicocele sclerotherapy improves inhibin B levels and seminal parameters, confirming the positive effect of this treatment on spermatogenesis and Sertoli cell function.
Di Bisceglie
Cataldo
C
Division of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Turin, Turin, Italy. cataldo.dibisceglie@unito.it
Bertagna
Angela
A
Baldi
Matteo
M
Lanfranco
Fabio
F
Tagliabue
Milena
M
Gazzera
Carlo
C
Gandini
Giovanni
G
Manieri
Chiara
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007265:Inhibins / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D010690:Phlebography; D000077423:Polidocanol; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012597:Sclerosing Solutions / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015911:Sclerotherapy; D013076:Sperm Count; D013081:Sperm Motility; D013091:Spermatogenesis; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000473:pathology*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018616:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Duplex; D014646:Varicocele / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*
D012597:Sclerosing Solutions; C422364:inhibin B; D000077423:Polidocanol; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D013739:Testosterone; D007265:Inhibins; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone