title: Effects of varicocelectomy on sperm DNA fragmentation, mitochondrial function, chromatin condensation, and apoptosis.
abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate conventional semen parameters  (density, morphology, and progressive motility) and the flow-cytometric  parameters of DNA fragmentation, mitochondrial membrane potential,  phosphatidylserine externalization, and chromatin compactness in patients with  varicocele before and after varicocelectomy. Thirty men (26.5 ± 3.2  years old, range 20-32 years) with oligoasthenoteratozoospermia and  grade 3 left varicocele were selected (without other causes of male  infertility). Each of them underwent sperm analysis and flow cytometric  evaluation before and 4 months after subinguinal microsurgical varicocelectomy  (SMV). After varicocelectomy, men had significantly higher sperm density,  progressive motility, and normal forms compared with baseline. They also had a  significantly lower percentage of spermatozoa with low mitochondrial membrane  potential. After SMV, they showed a significantly lower percentage of  spermatozoa with phosphatidylserine externalization, an early sign of  apoptosis. Significantly decreased percentages of spermatozoa with abnormal  chromatin compactness and spermatozoa with DNA fragmentation were found after  SMV compared with baseline. Subinguinal microsurgical varicocelectomy improves  sperm function in oligoasthenoteratozoospermia secondary to grade 3 left  varicocele. Improvements are seen in conventional parameters and biofunctional  parameters not routinely evaluated.
authors.affiliation: Section of Endocrinology, Andrology, and Internal Medicine and Master in Andrological, Human Reproduction, and Biotechnology Sciences, Department of Internal Medicine and Systemic Diseases, University of Catania, Catania, Italy. sandrolavignera@email.it
authors.forename: Sandro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: La Vignera
authors.forename: Rosita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Condorelli
authors.forename: Enzo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Vicari
authors.forename: Rosario
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: D'Agata
authors.forename: Aldo E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Calogero
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology*; D053627:Asthenozoospermia / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D002843:Chromatin / Q000378:metabolism*; D053938:DNA Fragmentation; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D053078:Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial / Q000502:physiology*; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000379:methods; D010718:Phosphatidylserines / Q000378:metabolism; D055101:Semen Analysis; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D013521:Urologic Surgical Procedures, Male / Q000379:methods; D014646:Varicocele / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D002843:Chromatin; D010718:Phosphatidylserines