Varicocele sclerotherapy improves serum inhibin B levels and seminal parameters.

Abstract

The usefulness of treating varicocele in order to improve fertility is still a matter of debate. The aim of this study was to evaluate variations in seminal parameters and inhibin B concentrations in a group of males affected by varicocele and treated by percutaneous retrograde sclerotherapy in comparison with a group of patients who did not undergo varicocele treatment. Thirty-eight patients with left varicocele underwent spermatic vein phlebography and percutaneous retrograde sclerotherapy with hydroxy-polyaethoxy-dodecanol. Serum inhibin B, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), testosterone levels and seminal parameters (sperm concentration, motility and morphology) were performed before and 6 months after sclerotherapy. Forty patients with left varicocele who did not undergo sclerotherapy were studied as controls. A significant increase (p < 0.01) in serum inhibin B levels and a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in FSH levels were observed 6 months after treatment. Semen analysis showed a significant improvement in sperm concentration (p < 0.05) and progressive motility (p < 0.01) after treatment. In control group no significant variations in hormonal and seminal parameters were observed 6 months after the basal examination. Six months after the basal evaluation, inhibin B levels were significantly higher in treated subjects than in controls (p < 0.05) whereas FSH levels were significantly lower (p < 0.05). Sperm concentration and progressive motility were significantly increased (p < 0.05 and p < 0.001, respectively) in treated subjects in comparison with controls. In conclusion, varicocele sclerotherapy improves inhibin B levels and seminal parameters, confirming the positive effect of this treatment on spermatogenesis and Sertoli cell function.

• Authors: Cataldo Di Bisceglie, Angela Bertagna, Matteo Baldi, Fabio Lanfranco, Milena Tagliabue, Carlo Gazzera, Giovanni Gandini, Chiara Manieri
• Journal: International journal of andrology (Int J Androl) Vol. 30 Issue 6 Pg. 531-6 (Dec 2007) ISSN: 0105-6263 [Print] England
• PMID: 17376219 (Publication Type: Controlled Clinical Trial, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Sclerosing Solutions
• inhibin B
• Polidocanol
• Polyethylene Glycols
• Testosterone
• Inhibins
• Follicle Stimulating Hormone

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Case-Control Studies
• Follicle Stimulating Hormone (blood)
• Humans
• Inhibins (blood)
• Male
• Phlebography
• Polidocanol
• Polyethylene Glycols (therapeutic use)
• Sclerosing Solutions (therapeutic use)
• Sclerotherapy
• Sperm Count
• Sperm Motility
• Spermatogenesis
• Spermatozoa (pathology)
• Testosterone (blood)
• Time Factors
• Treatment Outcome
• Ultrasonography, Doppler, Duplex
• Varicocele (blood, pathology, physiopathology, therapy)