title: Biochemical alterations in semen of varicocele patients: a review of the literature.
abstract: Oxidative stress is a mechanism underlying different kinds of infertility in human males. However, different results can be observed in relation to the method used for its evaluation. Varicocele patients show a number of biochemical abnormalities, including an altered distribution of coenzyme Q between seminal plasma and sperm cells and also an apparent defect in the utilization of antioxidants. Moreover, an influence of systemic hormones on seminal antioxidant system was observed too. Finally, the effects of surgical treatment on oxidativestress indexes and the possible usefulness of some medical therapies, like coenzyme Q supplementation, are discussed. In conclusion, published data show a role of oxidative stress in varicocele-related male infertility, but at present we do not know the precise molecular mechanisms underlying these phenomena.
authors.affiliation: Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome 00168, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mancini
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Festa
authors.forename: Sebastiano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Raimondo
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Silvestrini
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Giacchi
authors.forename: Gian Paolo
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Littarru
authors.forename: Alfredo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pontecorvi
authors.forename: Elisabetta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Meucci