Impact of clinical varicocele and testis size on seminal reactive oxygen species levels in a fertile population: a prospective controlled study.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate: 1) the impact of clinical varicocele on reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in neat and washed semen in a proven fertile population; and 2) the correlation between ROS levels, testicular volume, and varicocele grade in the same population of fertile men.


METHODS
Prospective controlled clinical study.


METHODS
Andrology laboratory at tertiary-care hospital.


METHODS
One hundred fourteen healthy fertile men (81 normal fertile and 33 fertile with clinical varicocele) and 30 infertile patients (control subjects).


METHODS
Standard semen analysis and measurement of sperm ROS production.


METHODS
Seminal parameters, seminal ROS levels, seminal leukocyte levels, clinical varicocele, and testis size.


RESULTS
Thirty-three of the 114 (29%) fertile men had clinical varicocele (grade 1, n = 14; grade 2, n = 11; and grade 3, n = 8), and the remaining 81 (71%) had a normal physical examination. Levels of ROS and semen quality did not differ significantly between the fertile men with or without varicocele. No significant differences in ROS levels in neat and washed semen were observed compared with fertile men with grades 2 and 3 varicocele and with fertile men with varicocele grade 1. The ROS levels in neat and washed semen were not significantly correlated with varicocele grade in fertile men. No significant correlations between ROS levels and testis volume were observed between the fertile groups.


CONCLUSIONS
The presence of clinical varicocele in fertile men is not associated with higher seminal ROS levels or abnormal semen parameters. Levels of ROS are not correlated with varicocele grade or testis volume in the same population of fertile men.
Cocuzza
Marcello
M
Department of Urology, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil. mcocuzza@uol.com.br
Athayde
Kelly S
KS
Agarwal
Ashok
A
Pagani
Rodrigo
R
Sikka
Suresh C
SC
Lucon
Antonio M
AM
Srougi
Miguel
M
Hallak
Jorge
J
D000328:Adult; D005298:Fertility; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism*; D012661:Semen / Q000378:metabolism*; D013737:Testis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D014646:Varicocele / Q000378:metabolism*
D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species