1. Relationship of varicocele grade and testicular hypotrophy.
- Author
-
, Ilina ROSOKLIJA and Alan RETIK
- Subjects
SPERMATOZOA ,VARICOSE veins ,VARICOCELE ,MALE reproductive organs - Abstract
PURPOSE: Surgical indications for correcting adolescent varicocele have included high varicocele grade and testicular hypotrophy. To date, these findings have not been correlated with semen parameters. The objective of our study was to examine the relationship between unilateral, left varicocele grade or testicular volume differential and semen parameters in adolescents. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Semen analyses were obtained in 57 Tanner Stage V adolescent males, ages 14 to 20 years (mean=18, SD=1.6). Varicocele grade was determined by the attending urologist. Testicular volumes were determined by scrotal ultrasound performed by an attending sonologist. Analysis of the data was performed using nonparametric statistical methods. RESULTS: Boys with testicular volume differentials >10% versus those with differentials <10% had significantly lower sperm concentration and total motile sperm counts. For differentials >20% these decreases were more dramatic. Percent motile sperm was significantly lower for boys with volume differentials >20% versus those in the <10% and 10-20% categories. Among patients in the >20% volume differential category, 59% had very low total motile sperm counts (<10 million), whereas 11% had total motile counts less than 10 million in the 10-20% differential category, and none in the <10% volume differential category. No significant differences were detected in percent normal morphology among the volume differentials. No significant differences were detected for any semen analysis parameter as a function of varicocele grade. CONCLUSIONS: Sonographically derived volume differentials >10% between normal and affected testes correlate with significantly decreased sperm concentration and total motile sperm count. This finding may serve as a marker to identify those adolescents with unilateral, left varicocele at greatest risk for future infertility. At the very least, a semen analysis and close annual follow-up of these adolescents seems warranted. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]
- Published
- 2007
- Full Text
- View/download PDF