An examination on composition of spermatozoa obtained from pre-operative and post-operative varicocele patients

Abstract

Varicocele is one of the main and surgically repairable causes of male infertility, which arises from dilatation and torsion of the testicular veins in the plexus pampiniformis. In this study, we examined semen samples from 40 patients diagnosed with varicocele between the ages of 15 and 30 years, according to WHO criteria (pre-operatively, and at 3, 6, and 12 months post-operatively). The mean spermatozoa concentration was found to be 45.25 ± 34.83 million/ml pre-operatively, while the mean post-operative concentration was 48.85 ± 35.73 million/ml at three months, 51.72 ± 32.82 million/ml at six months, and 49.63 ± 28.05 million/ml at 12 months (P > 0.05). The mean rate of A + B motile spermatozoa was 35.5 ± 14.71% pre-operatively, 42.65 ± 16.80% at three months, 43 ± 13.52%at six months and 44 ± 14.76 percent at 12 months post-operatively (P < 0.05). The mean Kruger morphology score was 3.15 ± 3.0% pre-operatively, and 3.20 ± 2.83% at three months, 2.97 ± 2.61%at six months and 3.27 ± 2.50%at 12 months post-operatively (P > 0.05). The nucleus, acrosomal cap, mitochondrial structure and microtubules of the tail of the spermatozoa were examined under electron microscopy. The mean DNA fragmentation index (DFI%) of the spermatozoa was 20.57 ± 4.60% pre-operatively, and post-operatively at 17.27 ± 3.65% at three months, 15.5 ± 3.23% at six months and 15.3 ± 3.63% at 12 months (P < 0.001).The findings suggest that despite the increased count and motility, as well as the improved DNA fractures observed post-operatively in the spermatozoa of varicocele patients, the morphology rates remain intact.