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Induction of varicocele was attempted by ligation of the left renal vein (LRV) in male dogs (Group I). Before the operation and in the 4-month post-operative period, sperm count, sperm motility, and sperm morphology of Group I (n = 8) dogs were compared to sham operated animals (Group II, n = 5). Furthermore, haemodynamics as well as testicular and vascular morphology were studied. In Group I, changes in diameter and consistency of the spermatic cord were temporary. Semen quality was reduced significantly during the second month after ligation of the LRV, but improved thereafter. Haemodynamic studies revealed that LRV blood pressure was increased significantly in Group I dogs. An extensive venous collateral network replaced the occluded LRV. Retrograde blood flow in the left testicular vein (LTV) was observed only in the proximal part of the LTV of Group I dogs. In Group II dogs numerous pairs of sufficient valves prevented reflux into the LTV. Histological examination revealed that spermatogenesis was not impaired and that the left pampiniform plexus had not changed. The number of Leydig cells was decreased slightly in Group I dogs. Sufficient valves in the LTV prevented formation of a permanent varicocele.

Phosphorus-31 MR spectroscopy of the human testis was performed on healthy volunteers (n = 17) and oligospermic (n = 7) and azoospermic patients (n = 4). All patients in the latter group had the Sertoli-cell-only syndrome. Determination of the ratios of phosphomonoesters (PMs) to adenosine triphosphate (ATP), phosphodiesters (PDs) to ATP, and inorganic phosphate (Pi) to ATP made it possible to discriminate among these three groups. The testicular PM/ATP ratio was 1.71 +/- 0.03 (mean +/- standard deviation) in the healthy volunteers and dropped to 1.41 +/- 0.06 (P less than .001 in comparison with healthy volunteers) in the oligospermic patients and to 1.22 +/- 0.07 (P less than .001) in the azoospermic patients. The testicular PD/ATP ratio did show a slight increase from 0.52 +/- 0.10 in healthy volunteers to 0.68 +/- 0.09 (not significant) for oligospermic patients and to 0.83 +/- 0.10 (P less than .01) for azoospermic patients. The Pi/ATP ratio did not show significant differences between healthy volunteers (0.12 +/- 0.07) and oligospermic patients (0.23 +/- 0.08) but was elevated in the azoospermic patients (0.79 +/- 0.12) (P less than .001).

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.

Fifty-six males from infertile couples were categorised into two different groups and their semen quality examined. Patients in which there was no evidence of interference with normal testicular thermoregulation either during the day or the night were classified as 'cool workers' and 'cool sleepers' (Group I, n = 26). In the other group (II), 'warm workers'/'warm sleepers' (n = 30), there was evidence for scrotal insulation. The number of good moving spermatozoa per ejaculate as well as this number per ml was greater in 'cool workers'/'cool sleepers' than in 'warm workers'/'warm sleepers' (p less than 0.001). These results emphasize the need for comprehensive patient history when evaluating infertility problems. Similarly, living habits may play a role in human male infertility and treatment.