Abstract
It is generally believed that a varicocele impairs tubular function and spermatogenesis. It is, however, unclear whether or not the Leydig cell function also decreases. Raboch and Starka [7] observed testosterone concentrations in plasma that were half as high in patients with varicocele than in healthy controls. In contrast, Swerdloff and Walsh [9] found normal testosterone concentrations. This was confirmed by Comhaire and Vermeulen [3], who found normal testosterone in all patients with varicocele. One-third of their patients, however, complained of erectile impotence. This subgroup had testosterone concentrations in the lower part of the normal range. Concentrations increased after surgery, together with an improvement of the impotence. We studied the testosterone concentrations in peripheral plasma in the spermatic vein, and in testicular tissue of patients with varicocele in order to further investigate the problem of Leydig cell function in patients with varicocele.
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