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Background and Aim: Infertility is a major problem of modern medicine as it affects almost 20% of reproductive-aged couples. The cause of this problem is attributed to the male partner in nearly 40%-50% of these cases. The role of herpes simplex virus (HSV) in male infertility has been investigated using the sensitive methods. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of HSV-1, 2 DNA in the semen, blood and urine of idiopathic infertile men and its association with altered semen parameters. Materials and Methods: A total of 150 semen, blood and urine samples from infertile men were collected in the Shariati hospital, Tehran (2012-2014). Sample analysis and diagnostic PCR using specific primers was performed for detection of HSV-1, 2 DNA in the specimens. Results: Analysis showed six groups of infertile men, including HSV-1, 2 positive and negative groups in semen, blood and urine samples. HSV-1, 2 DNA was detected in 38 (18.66%) semens, (6.66%) 10 in blood and 2 (1.33%) in urine. Only HSV-1, 2 positive samples of semen had abnormal semen parameters. Conclusion: Using a powerful molecular method, we detected a high prevalence of HSV-1, 2 DNA in the semen of asymptomatic infertile patients. Although HSV-1, 2 infections were not associated with motility and morphology defects of the sperms, it was related with decreased sperm count in the semen fluid. In addition there was not a significant role for detection of HSV-1, 2 DNA in blood and urine samples of infertile men and abnormal semen parameters.

Background: Varicocele is recognized as the most common cause of male factor infertility and is found in 15% of the general population. This prevalence increases to 35% in men presenting with primary infertility and between 70 to 80% in men presenting with secondary infertility. The effect of varicocele on Leydig cell function and testosterone production has been always a question. In this study we examined the effect of varicocelectomy on serum testosterone. Methods: This research protocol was approved by the institutional review board at Royan Institute in infertility department and also this study has been done in Royan Institute (Tehran, Iran) during one year since September 2012 till October 2013. In this cross-sectional study, Serum levels of total testosterone in 79 men with clinical varicocele and in 70 fertile men who served as a control group were compared. Men aged 23–46 years with clinically palpable varicoceles as determined by physical examination were studied. Three to 6 months, testosterone levels were measured again after varicocelectomy, then testosterone levels were compared before and after varicocelectomy. Results: The mean of serum testosterone levels before surgery in infertile men with varicocele and fertile men were 590(230) vs. 583(237) ng/dl respectively. No statistically significant changes were noted in serum testosterone levels for any groups. Three month after varicocelectomy mean serum testosterone levels were significantly increased in infertile men with varicocele compared with preoperative levels from 590 (230) to 663 (242) ng/dl (P=0.009). Also the testis volume of patients were examined, which were divided into two groups included the men with testis volume less than 16 ml (

Background: Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is one the most common methods in infertility treatment, but its efficiency in infertile couples with male factor is controversial. This study is a retrospective study about correlation between semen parameters and male and female age with successful rate of IUI in patients attending to Royan Institute.Methods: A total of 998 consecutive couples in a period of 6 months undergoing IUI were included. They were classified into two groups: couples with successful and unsuccessful pregnancy. Main outcome was clinical pregnancy. Data about male and female ages and semen analysis including concentration, total sperm motility, class A motility, class B motility, class A+B motility and normal morphology was extracted from patients’ records. Semen samples were collected by masturbation or coitus after 2 to 7 days of abstinence. Their female partners were reported to have no chronic medi-cal conditions and have normal menstrual cycles.Results: One hundred and fifty seven of total 998 cycles (15.7%) achieved pregnancy. The average of female age in successful and unsuccessful group was 28.95±4.19 and 30.00±4.56 years, respectively. Mean of male age was 33.97±4.85 years in successful group and 34.44±4.62 years in unsuccessful group. In successful and unsuccessful groups, average of sperm concentration was 53.62±38.45 and 46.26±26.59 (million sperm/ml), normal morphology of sperm was 8.98±4.31 (%) and 8.68±4.81 (%), sperm total motility was 47.24±18.92 (%) and 43.70±20.22 (%) and total motile sperm count was 80.10±63.61 million and 78.57±68.22 million, respectively.Conclusion: There was no significant difference in mean of females’ age and males’ age between successful and unsuccessful groups (P