title: Effect of age on semen parameters in infertile men after varicocelectomy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The effectiveness of varicocelectomy in restoration of fertility and improvement of semen parameters is still controversial. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of age on semen parameters following varicocelectomy in a group of infertile men.
  
  
  METHODS
  Improvements in sperm count, morphology, and motility were studied in 67 infertile patients 4-10 months after varicocelectomy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean age of the patients was 30.48 ± 7.49 years. Significant improvements in total sperm count, percentage normal morphology, and motility were noted in all age groups (P < 0.05). Patients aged <25 years demonstrated the greatest increase in sperm counts, normal morphology, and motility following varicocelectomy. There was a significant negative correlation between age and sperm count, sperm morphology, and sperm motility (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The effect of age on improvement in sperm parameters after varicocelectomy is inconsistent with some reports in the literature, and could be attributable to the duration of infertility prior to surgery; in the long term, varicoceles are known to have deleterious effects on testis biology.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
authors.forename: Kamaleddin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hassanzadeh-Nokashty
authors.forename: Parisa
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Yavarikia
authors.forename: Alireza
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ghaffari
authors.forename: Samad
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hazhir
authors.forename: Mohammadali
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hassanzadeh