title: Effect of varicocele on sperm function and semen oxidative stress.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the effect of varicocele on sperm DNA integrity, mitochondrial activity, lipid peroxidation and acrosome integrity.
  
  
  METHODS
  In all, 30 patients with a clinically diagnosed varicocele of grade II or III and 32 men without a varicocele were evaluated for sperm DNA fragmentation (comet assay), mitochondrial activity (3,3'-diaminobenzidine assay), lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde) and acrosome integrity (fluorescent probe labelled peanut agglutinin).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The varicocele group showed fewer spermatozoa with intact DNA (grade II, P= 0.040), more cells with inactive mitochondria (class III, P= 0.001), fewer cells with active mitochondria (class I, P= 0.005) and fewer spermatozoa with intact acrosomes (P < 0.001). Finally, no significant differences were observed in lipid peroxidation levels.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Men with varicocele showed an increase in sperm DNA fragmentation and a reduction in mitochondrial activity and acrosome integrity. However, lipid peroxidation levels remained unchanged.
authors: Department of Surgery, Division of Urology, Human Reproduction Section, Sao Paulo Federal University, Brazil. cablumer@gmail.com
authors: Camile Garcia
authors: CG
authors: Blumer
authors: Adriana Ester
authors: AE
authors: Restelli
authors: Paula Toni Del
authors: PT
authors: Giudice
authors: Thiesa Butterby
authors: TB
authors: Soler
authors: Renato
authors: R
authors: Fraietta
authors: Marcilio
authors: M
authors: Nichi
authors: Ricardo Pimenta
authors: RP
authors: Bertolla
authors: Agnaldo Pereira
authors: AP
authors: Cedenho