title: Varicocele Time-dependently Affects DNA Integrity of Sperm Cells: Evidence for Lower In vitro Fertilization Rate in Varicocele-positive Rats.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We designed this study to clarify how varicocele can time-dependently affect sperm morphological parameters and DNA integrity. In this study, we intend to estimate the effect of various periods of varicocele on the in vitro fertilization (IVF) rate in rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this experimental study, left varicocele were induced as the test group (n=18) which was further sub-divided into three groups based on the study termination time (4, 6 and 8 months after varicocele induction). The control-sham group (n=6) consisted of rats who received no treatment. Repopulation index (RI), tubular differentiation index (TDI), sperm viability and motility, morphological maturity, chromatin integrity and ability to undergo IVF were assessed. In addition, the potential impact of varicocele on serum total antioxidant capacity (TAOC) and total thiol molecules (TTM) were examined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Histological results showed that varicocele negatively influenced TDI and RI. All sperm morphological parameters were lower than those in the control-sham group. DNA damage was severely and time-dependently substantiated in all test groups. Varicocele significantly reduced the ability of sperm derived from varicocele rats to undergo IVF. Serum TAOC and TTM levels reduced in a time-dependent manner. Right testes varicocele-induced rats showed remarkably less damaged profile for all investigated parameters compared to the left testes varicocele.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our data suggested that experimentally induced varicocele negatively impacted sperm maturation and chromatin integrity in a time-dependent manner. This consequently caused a remarkable reduction in IVF ability. The detrimental effect of varicocele may be attributed to the significant reduction of antioxidant capacity of the serum.
authors.affiliation: Department of Comparative Histology and Embryology, University of Urmia, Urmia, Iran.
authors.forename: Mazdak
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Razi
authors.affiliation: Department of Comparative Histology and Embryology, University of Urmia, Urmia, Iran.
authors.forename: Rajab-Ali
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Sadrkhanloo
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Urmia, Urmia, Iran.
authors.forename: Hassan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Malekinejad
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Science, Division of Surgery, University of Urmia, Urmia, Iran.
authors.forename: Farshid
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sarafzadeh-Rezaei
keywords: DNA Damage; In vitro Fertilization; Oxidative Stress; Varicocele
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