Reassessing the role of subclinical varicocele in infertile men with impaired semen quality: a prospective study.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate the seminal, hormonal, and spontaneous pregnancy outcome after percutaneous embolization of the internal spermatic vein in infertile men with left-sided subclinical varicocele and one or more abnormal semen parameters.

METHODS:

A total of 218 patients underwent percutaneous embolization, and 119 patients were included as the observation group. All patients were followed up prospectively for 39.4 ± 6.5 months. Semen parameters and hormonal levels were evaluated before any procedure and 6 months after.

RESULTS:

Significant improvement in the mean sperm concentration, total motility, and lower follicle-stimulating hormone levels was noted in those who underwent varicocele embolization as compared with those not treated. After 39.4 ± 6.5 months, pregnancy rates were 46.3% for the treated group and 11.8% for the control group (P = .011).

CONCLUSION:

In infertile men, small varicoceles, even subclinical ones, should be identified and treated.

• Authors: Ubaldo Cantoro, Massimo Polito, Giovanni Muzzonigro
• Journal: Urology (Urology) Vol. 85 Issue 4 Pg. 826-30 (Apr 2015) ISSN: 1527-9995 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 25817105 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Testosterone
• Luteinizing Hormone
• Follicle Stimulating Hormone

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Asymptomatic Diseases
• Embolization, Therapeutic
• Female
• Follicle Stimulating Hormone (blood)
• Humans
• Infertility, Male (blood, complications, therapy)
• Luteinizing Hormone (blood)
• Male
• Pregnancy
• Pregnancy Rate
• Prospective Studies
• Recurrence
• Sperm Count
• Sperm Motility
• Spermatic Cord (blood supply)
• Testosterone (blood)
• Ultrasonography
• Varicocele (complications, diagnostic imaging, therapy)
• Young Adult