Effects of surgical repair of first degree varicocele on gonadal function and testicular atrophy

Varicocele is one of the main causes of male infertility. This pathology, in fact, is responsible for progressive anatomical and functional testicular damage. Constant monitoring of subjects suffering from varicocele is therefore necessary. In the present study, we evaluated the effect of varicocele surgical treatment on seminal parameters, testicular growth and pregnancy rate in patients with grade I varicocele. We operated on 47 patients with left grade I varicocele associated with sperm abnormalities and with testicular hypotrophy. A high ligation of the internal spermatic vein and all its collaterals was performed in all patients. The postoperative follow-up showed a significant improvement in seminal parameters (motility, morphology and sperm count) and in testicular volumes. Moreover, a pregnancy rate of 58% was observed. These results confirm the observations of other investigators and suggest that surgical therapy of varicocele is capable of improving seminal parameters, of reversing varicocele-related testicular hypotrophy and of achieving high pregnancy rates even in patients with grade I varicocele.     

Improvement of male fertility through ligation of varicocele? A study of 100 subfertile varicocele patients three months after ligation (author's transl)]

With 100 subfertile varicocele patients, three months after ligation (high ligation of the left internal spermatic vein in accordance with Bernardi) had control spermiograms made. An improvement of sperm count (upgrade in a higher class according to MacLeod's partition) was found in 28% of the cases, whereas an improvement of progressive motility was found only in 13%. The percentage of patients reaching the normal value in sperm count of over 40 mill./ml increased from 23% to 39%. The increase in these patients came primarily from the class of 20--40 mill./ml. In progressive motility, there was an increase of patients reaching the standard value of over 40%, from 6 to 11. However, if sperm count and progressive motility together were evaluated in the individual patients after ligation, only 6 patients presented a normospermia, i.e. a sperm count of more than 40 mill./ml with normal progressive motility. Thus 94 of the 100 patients must be considered as subfertile three months after ligation. A significant fertility improvement through ligation of varicocele has not yet taken place.     

Effect of Varicocelectomy on Sperm Parameters and Pregnancy Rate in Patients with Subclinical Varicocele: A Randomized Prospective Controlled Study

Purpose

We assessed whether subclinical varicocele ligation improves fertility and/or semen parameters.

Materials and Methods

A total of 85 patients with a subclinical varicocele diagnosed by scrotal thermography presented with infertility. Patients were randomly assigned to groups 1 (high ligation of the internal spermatic vein) and 2 (followed without any treatment). At least 3 semen samples were obtained at study entry and 1 year later in both groups.

Results

The pregnancy rate in group 1 was 6.7 percent compared to 10 percent in group 2, and the difference was not statistically significant. Group 1 had significantly higher levels of sperm density and total motile sperm count at 1 year. There were no significant differences between groups 1 and 2 regarding change in seminal volume, sperm motility and abnormal sperm morphology.

Conclusions

Subclinical varicocelectomy has some effect on spermatogenesis but no beneficial effect on pregnancy rate.     

Sequential Scrotal Scintigraphy for the Study of Varicocele

Scrotal scintigraphy is a non-invasive procedure for evaluating spermatic vein reflux. This technique was used in 43 infertile patients with varicocele. None of them had infections, traumatic, or chromosomal abnormalities that could be associated with their infertility. Twelve patients showed type 1 time activity curve, including 3 with grade II, and 9 with grade III varicocele. A total of 12 patients showed a type 2 pattern and consisted of 2 patients with grade I, 6 with grade II, and 4 with grade III varicocele. Nineteen showed type 3 pattern consisting of 6 with grade I, 6 with grade II, and 7 with grade III. The patients with grade III varicocele showed type 1 pattern more frequently than those with grade I or II (p<0.05). Preoperative sperm concentration in patients with grade I varicocele was significantly lower than that in patients with grade II or III disease (p<0.05, each). Sperm motility of patients with grade I varicocele was also significantly lower than that of those with grade II or III varicocele (p<0.01, each). Patients with grade II or III varicocele showed an increase in sperm concentration postoperatively, and those with grade I varicocele showed a postoperative increase in sperm motility, but the differences between pre- and postoperative values were not significant. While seminal findings in patients with type 2 or 3 pattern did not change after surgery, patients with type I pattern showed significant improvement in sperm concentration postoperatively (p<0.05). It is concluded that preoperative sequential scrotal scintigraphy can be a more useful technique for assessing the prognosis for post-operative improvement of seminal findings than the grade decision of varicocele.     

Ligation of the left spermatic vein in the treatment of male infertility

During a 5 year period 26 selected infertile men underwent surgical correction of varicocele. They were followed up for at least 1 year after surgery. Significant improvement was detected in sperm count and motility (%) of semen analysis after ligation of the internal spermatic vein. Eight of the wives became pregnant after operation. The correction of varicocele by ligation of the internal spermatic vein is an accepted treatment for male infertility.     

Increased total antioxidant capacity in seminal plasma of varicocele patients: a multivariate analysis

To investigate seminal antioxidant systems and their correlation with hormonal pattern in varicocele patients, we studied 33 varicocele (VAR) patients (12 oligozoospermic, 21 normozoospermic) and 34 non-VARs (10 idiopathic oligozoospermic, 24 normozoospermic). Non-enzymatic total antioxidant capacity (TAC) was measured using H(2)O(2)-metamyoglobin, which generates the radical form, spectroscopically detectable, of the chromogen 2,2',-azinobis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonate (ABTS): time till appearance (Lag) of ABTS*(-) signifies antioxidant concentration. Lag was significantly longer in VARs than controls suggesting ineffective utilization of antioxidants. A significant direct correlation (r = 0.65, p < 0.01) of Lag with sperm count was observed in non-VARs, while in VARs it was inverted, as well as with hematic FSH levels. A multivariate analysis including FSH, Lag, progressive spermatozoa, oligozoospermia and varicocele indicated a strong inverse correlation between FSH and motility (r(2) = 0.31, p > F = 0.0007), not modified by Lag (r(2) = 0.31, p > F = 0.002). Their inverse correlation with Lag may suggest that higher FSH levels, improving sperm antioxidant efficiency, counterbalance varicocele-induced dyspermia.     

腹腔镜下精索内静脉Hem-o-Lock夹夹闭术与Palomo术治疗精索静脉曲张的疗效比较

目的:对照研究腹腔镜下精索内静脉Hem-o-Lock夹夹闭术与经腹膜后集束结扎精索血管术(Palomo术)治疗原发性精索静脉曲张的手术疗效。方法:研究对象为原发性精索静脉曲张并行手术治疗的患者80例,依据术式不同分为腹腔镜下精索内静脉Hem-o-Lock夹夹闭术组(H组)42例,Palomo术组(P组)38例。观察指标:手术时间、术中出血量、住院时间、肠道功能恢复时间、术后并发症,以及术后半年精子浓度、存活率、畸形率、a+b级精子百分率,彩色多普勒血流显像(CDFI)检查精索静脉内径(D值)、返流时间(TR值)和血流速度与内径比值(V/D),临床症状消失率和复发率。结果:手术时间、术中出血量和住院时间H组少于P组(P<0.05),术后肠道功能恢复时间H组大于P组(P<0.05);术后并发症发生率两组无显著性差异(P>0.05);术后半年复查精液质量和彩色多普勒CDFI检查:组内比较术后各指标均较术前有显著改善(P<0.05),组间比较术前术后各值差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);两组术后18个月均无复发。结论:腹腔镜下精索内静脉Hem-o-Lock夹夹闭术和Palomo术均可明显改善精索静脉曲张患者精液质量,缓解并逐步消失其临床症状,但前者具有手术、住院时间更短,术中出血、术后并发症较少,临床疗效好、复发率低等优点,是当前临床治疗精索静脉曲张的优选术式。     

Induction of varicocele in the dog: I. Partial ligation of the left renal vein does not induce a varicocele in the dog

Induction of varicocele was attempted by partial ligation of the left renal vein in 10 male dogs. The effects on sperm count, sperm motility, and sperm morphology, as well as on hemodynamics, were assessed. Furthermore, testicular, vascular, and kidney morphology was studied. Changes in the diameter and consistency of the left spermatic cord were found to be temporary. Total sperm count, sperm motility, and the total number of oval forms were not significantly altered. Hemodynamic studies revealed a renocaval pressure gradient, but retrograde flow in the distal part of the left testicular vein could not be observed by arteriography. A collateral network was found to compensate for the restricted left renal vein. Histologic examination revealed no damage to the seminiferous epithelium. Changes were not found in the kidney and left pampiniform plexus. Although some temporary changes induced by the partial ligation of the left renal vein are suggestive of varicocele, this hemodynamic study shows that the presented dog model does not mimic varicocele as encountered in man.     

Can LDH activity in spermatic vein indicate testicular damage? A preliminary report

We aimed to investigate the relationship between varicocele and lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), an intracellular enzyme that indicates cellular damage. LDH levels were measured in the blood samples of 17 oligoasthenospermic infertile patients with varicocele which were obtained synchronously from spermatic and peripheral veins during operation. Sperm counts ranged from 1 to 74 million/ml, while motility ranged from 10% to 60%. LDH level in spermatic vein was found statistically higher than the level in peripheral vein (p=0.042). There was no correlation between sperm counts and LDH level in spermatic vein. We found a significant increase in spermatic vein LDH level in varicocele. We think that further studies are needed to reveal the relationship between spermatic vein LDH level and varicocele.     

Varicocle in oligospermic patients: pathophysiology and results after ligation and division of the internal spermatic vein.

We have followed for up to 32 months 51 oligospermic patients with varicoceles who underwent high ligation and division of the left spermatic vein. Of these patients 59.9 per cent had improvement in total sperm count, 47.1 per cent in sperm motility and 42.1 per cent in the morphological pattern of the spermatozoa. Pregnancies were reported by 13 patients. Improvement in sperm motility occurred first, followed by improvement in morphology. The last improvement was in total sperm count. We suggest that the observation period after a varicocele operation be restricted to 9 months, in which time about 75 per cent of the expected improvement takes place. A clinical classification for the degree of varicocele is proposed. No correlation between size of the varicocele and treatment results could be observed. A classification of sperm analysis is proposed, using a 3-digital index that might enable better comparison of sperm analysis and better communication among physicians. We could not define a specific group of oligospermic patients who might benefit more than other groups from a varicocele operation. Pathophysiological pathways leading to impaired spermatogenesis in patients with varicoceles are discussed.     

Varicocele sclerotherapy improves serum inhibin B levels and seminal parameters

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.     

Results of laparoscopic bilateral varicocelectomy

Left varicocele (LV) is a common clinical condition that is present in approximately 15% of the general male population. Bilateral varicocele (BV) is an association of clinical LV and subclinical or ultrasound diagnosed right varicocele. Recent diagnostic technology suggests that BV is much more common than previously suspected varying from 15 to 57%. The laparoscopic technique offers the possibility of planning bilateral varix ligation but only a few reports are currently available. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcome of contemporary bilateral correction of BV on spermatogenesis. From 1992 January to 1998 December a total of 207 patients with clinical left varicocele and a pathological sperm count were studied. Scrotal sonography was performed and in 96 patients (group A) subclinical right varicocele was diagnosed while 111 patients (group B) only had LV. 84 patients were married and had tried unsuccesfully for a pregnancy for at least one year before evaluation. All patients underwent laparoscopic varicocelectomy, performed under general anesthesia with a three trocar technique with application of clips to the spermatic vein and resection. Patients with right reflux received bilateral varix ligation. Operating time averaged 28 minutes for unilateral cases and 42 minutes for bilateral legatures. No significant differences were found in age distribution or preoperative seminal paramenters between the two groups. Postoperative hospital stay was 1.2 and 1.3 days respectively. 168 patients underwent sperm count four to six months after surgery. Both groups showed improvements in number (group A 41 millions, group b 27 millions), 2nd hour motility (group A 32%, group B 19%) and morphology (group A 52%, group B 51%). 95 patients achieved normalization of seminal parameters, 40 (63%) in group A and 37 (30%) in group B, and there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups. The pregnancy rate was calculated on married population after one year; it was 41% in total. The role of the subclinical right varicocele associated to clinical left varicocele is uncertain and there are few papers concerning this argument. In this serie normalization of seminal parameters and the pregnancy rate were significantly higher in patients with bilateral correction of reflux. In conclusion our data confirm that subclinical right reflux also has a detrimental effect on spermatogenesis and we suggest that it must be corrected contemporary when associated with clinical left varicocele.     

腹腔镜完全腹膜外补片修补术联合精索静脉高位结扎治疗腹股沟疝合并精索静脉曲张的疗效优势

目的探究腹腔镜完全腹膜外补片修补术（TEP）联合精索静脉高位结扎治疗腹股沟疝合并精索静脉曲张的疗效。 方法回顾性分析2016年3月至2019年5月湖北省公安县人民医院收治的82例腹股沟疝合并精索静脉曲张患者资料。按照治疗方法分为对照组（49例，TEP治疗）和试验组（33例，TEP联合精索静脉高位结扎治疗），比较两组患者手术时间、排气时间、住院时间、治疗前后精液参数、精索静脉曲张疗效及并发症发生情况。 结果试验组患者手术时间、住院时间均长于对照组，差异均有统计学意义（t=40.196、6.893，均P<0.001）。术后7 d比较，试验组精子密度、A级精子比例均高于同期对照组，畸形率更低，差异均有统计学意义（P<0.05）。试验组的精索静脉曲张疗效（Z=15.444，P<0.001）及并发症发生率（χ²=7.009，P=0.008）均显著优于对照组患者。 结论相比于单纯TEP手术，TEP联合精索静脉高位结扎术治疗腹股沟疝合并精索静脉曲张的临床治疗效果较好，患者症状改善时间也相对较短。     

Nitric Oxide Synthase and Xanthine Oxidase Activities in the Spermatic Vein of Patients with Varicocele: A Potential Role for Nitric Oxide and Peroxynitrite in Sperm Dysfunction

Purpose

The oxidative and reductive stresses within the varicocele veins were estimated. Nitric oxide synthase and xanthine oxidase activities, as well as nitric oxide, S-nitrosothiols and superoxide release within the spermatic vein in patients with varicocele, and the role of the noxious oxidant peroxynitrite formed from nitric oxide and superoxide in sperm dysfunction were determined.

Materials and Methods

Whole blood samples were drawn from a peripheral vein and a dilated varicocele vein before ligation. Nitric oxide synthase, xanthine oxidase, nitric oxide and peroxynitrite were measured by novel spectro-fluorophotometric methods. S-nitrosothiols were estimated by a luminol-chemiluminescence method. Serum and red blood cell antioxidant capacity was determined by a chemiluminescence reaction.

Results

Serum nitric oxide synthase and xanthine oxidase activities, as well as nitric oxide, peroxynitrite and S-nitrosothiol levels were greater in the spermatic vein compared to the peripheral vein. Serum antioxidant capacity was greater in varicocele veins compared to peripheral veins. In contrast, the antioxidant capacity of red blood cells was less in the varicocele veins, which was consistent with an increased rate of peroxynitrite production.

Conclusions

Our data suggest a high oxidative stress due to the release of nitric oxide synthase and xanthine oxidase within the dilated spermatic vein. This reaction resulted in dramatic formation of nitric oxide, peroxynitrite and S-nitrosothiols, which are biologically active. Formation of peroxynitrite from the reaction of nitric oxide with superoxide could be a causative factor for impaired sperm function in patients with varicocele.     

Incidence and clinical significance of subclinical scrotal varicoceles

A total of 40 infertile men with a normal physical examination underwent gonadal venography to determine the presence of a subclinical varicocele. Of the patients 19 had a left and 3 had a right subclinical varicocele. A total of 21 patients underwent radiographic occlusion of the varicoceles, while 1 required surgical ligation of the internal spermatic vein. Of the 22 patients 13 have been followed for greater than 6 months after correction of the varicocele. In these patients there has been a small but significant increase in sperm number after varicocele occlusion. No significant changes in either sperm motility or morphology have occurred. Although most patients do not have any major improvement after occlusion of a subclinical varicocele, some may experience a significant improvement in sperm number after occlusion. The effect on pregnancy rates is not yet known.     

Bilateral Varicocele: Impact of Right Spermatic Vein Ligation on Fertility

The most frequent cause of male infertility is left varicocele. The surgical or laparoscopic approach for spermatic vein ligation is considered the best method of treatment. The approach to a clinically significant left varicocele associated with a right varicocele (frequently of a smaller size) is not univocal. We analyzed the seminal responses obtained in 65 patients with bilateral varicocele (grades 2 to 3 on the left side and grade 1 on the right side) assigned randomly to undergo unilateral or bilateral ligation. There were no significant differences between the 2 groups with regard to seminal recovery.     

精索静脉曲张患者精子运动速度和ATP含量的比较研究

为了探究精索静脉曲张患者不育的原因，采用多次曝光法和生物发光法测定精索静脉曲张患者精子运动速度和三磷酸腺苷（ＡＴＰ）含量，并与有生育能力的健康男性精子进行比较，结果显示静索静脉曲张患者精子运动速度和ＡＴＰ含量显著低于正常对照组（Ｐ〈０．００１，Ｐ〈０．０１）。８例精索静脉曲张患者在作精索内静脉高位结扎术后６个月，其精子运动速度和ＡＴＰ含量与正常对照组无显著性差异（均Ｐ〉０．０５）。精子的ＡＴＰ含量     

Seminal antioxidant capacity in pre- and postoperative varicocele

In order to explore the impact of surgical treatment on antioxidant defense system in varicocele (VAR), we evaluated seminal total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in 25 patients affected by VAR, in 14 patients studied 10-24 months after varicocelectomy (post-VAR) and separated into normo- and oligospermic groups, and in 24 non-VAR control patients with seminal parameters matched to patients with VAR in the oligo- and normospermic groups (7 subjects with idiopathic oligospermia and 17 normal fertile subjects). TAC was measured in seminal plasma with the system H(2)O(2)-metamyoglobin as a source of radicals, which interact with a chromogen 2,2',-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonate) (ABTS), generating a radical cation spectroscopically detectable. The presence of antioxidants induces a lag time in the production of ABTS cation proportional to the concentration of antioxidant compounds. When whole groups of patients were analyzed, lag values were significantly higher in VAR vs non-VAR controls (mean +/- SEM, 106.6 +/- 8.8 seconds vs 78.7 +/- 8.8 seconds) but were not modified by surgery (mean +/- SEM, 105.8 +/- 8.6 seconds). In groups separated according to seminal parameters, oligospermic VAR presented significantly higher lag values than oligospermic controls. Finally, when exploring a possible association of TAC with seminal parameters, we found a significant correlation between lag and sperm motility only in patients with VAR who were in the normospermic group (r = 0.65, P <.01). This correlation was not yet manifest post-VAR. In conclusion, surgical treatment does not seem to modify absolute values of TAC but influences its fine regulation and relationships with sperm motility.     

精索静脉曲张患者术前、后精子顶体酶活性研究

目的 探讨精索静脉曲张患者在精索静脉高位结扎术前、后精子顶体酶活性(SAA)的变化。方法 用改良的Kennedy法测定术前和术后6～8个月精子顶体酶活性。结果 精索静脉高位结扎术后患者的精子顶体酶活性较术前明显增高(P<0.01)。结论 精索静脉高位结扎术后精索静脉曲张患者精液质量如精子顶体酶活性得到明显的提高。     

Relationship between sperm cell ubiquinone and seminal parameters in subjects with and without varicocele

Summary. In a previous paper it was demonstrated that Coenzyme Q10, a lipidic molecule with important antioxidant properties, is present at remarkable levels in human seminal fluid, and shows a direct correlation with seminal parameters (sperm count and motility). In patients with varicocele, on the contrary, correlation with sperm motility was lacking and a higher proportion of Coenzyme Q10 was found in seminal plasma. In the present study, the levels of Coenzyme Q10 in the cell pellet of spermatozoa, obtained after centrifugation of semen, were evaluated. In nonvaricocele subjects it was observed that a higher concentration of Coenzyme Q 10 (expressed as ng of the molecule per million of cells) was present in the spermatozoa of oligospermic and asthenospermic patients (sperm count <20*10⁶ spermatozoa ml⁻¹, sperm motility <40%). This relationship was not observed in varicocele subjects, who also showed slightly lower intracellular absolute values of the coenzyme.
Since Coenzyme Q10 is an antioxidant molecule involved in the defence of the cell from free radical damage, higher intracellular concentrations may represent a mechanism of protection of the spermatozoa. In varicocele patients, this mechanism could be deficient, leading to higher sensitivity to oxidative damage.