Abstract
Varicocele, defined as enlarged varicose veins in the scrotum, is the most common identifiable cause of male infertility. There are significant correlations between oxidative stress and varicocele-related infertility due to testicular hyperthermia, which can result in low sperm function. In addition, recent excessive oxidative stress can affect sperm telomere length and integrity of sperm DNA. Therefore, we assessed sperm telomere length as a potential marker of paternal genome integrity and leukocyte telomere length as an internal control (real-time PCR), along with sperm chromatin status (TUNEL and chromomycin A3 assay), and lipid peroxidation (Bodipy probe) in 18 infertile men with grade II or III varicocele, and 20 fertile men. Means of sperm parameters, sperm and leukocyte telomere length were significantly lower, while means of sperm DNA fragmentation, protamine deficiency, and lipid peroxidation were significantly higher in infertile men with varicocele compared to fertile men. Therefore, shortened telomere length in sperm and leukocytes is likely associated with increased oxidative stress related to the state of varicocele, which also accounts for increase in sperm DNA fragmentation. Thus, assessment of leukocyte telomere length could be taken as an indicator of antioxidant capacity in an individual, which also affects sperm function.
Highlights
The term “varicocele” was initially suggested by the British surgeon T.B
At the level of semen, testicular dysfunction manifests as decreased sperm concentration, motility and morphology while at the cellular level, it is associated with higher DNA fragmentation, apoptosis and reduced chromatin integrity compared to the fertile population[5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12]
Paternal age was significantly higher in fertile individuals compared to infertile men with varicocele but no significant difference was found in paternal age at conception (PAC) between the two groups (p > 0.05)
Summary
The term “varicocele” was initially suggested by the British surgeon T.B. Curling in 1843 to define venous dilatation of plexus pampiniform[1]. At the level of semen, testicular dysfunction manifests as decreased sperm concentration, motility and morphology while at the cellular level, it is associated with higher DNA fragmentation, apoptosis and reduced chromatin integrity compared to the fertile population[5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12]. In addition to these adverse effects, many cellular enzymatic processes are affected due to altered enzyme kinetic properties at increased temperature[13,14,15,16]. The result of current study clearly shows that the varicocele state, in addition to its effects on the sperm DNA integrity, sperm lipid peroxidation level, protamine content and sperm parameters, might affect telomere length
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call