Abstract
Since varicocele is so common in infertile men, this study intends to analyse the relationships between varicocele and conventional semen characteristics, sperm nuclear DNA dispersion and oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) in semen. Varicocele-positive and varicocele-negative infertile men (study groups) showed significantly lower standard sperm parameters and higher sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) and ORP in semen than healthy volunteers and subjects with proven fertility (control groups). A lower proportion of low SDF levels (0–15% SDF) and higher incidence of high SDF levels (>30% SDF), as well as a higher prevalence of high ORP values (>1.37 mV/106 sperm/mL), were found in the study groups vs. the control groups. Moreover, infertile men had significantly lower odds ratios (ORs) for low SDF levels and significantly higher ORs for high SDF levels and high ORP. SDF and ORP were negatively correlated with sperm number, morphology, motility and vitality. Furthermore, a significant positive correlation was found between SDF and ORP. The obtained results suggest that disorders of spermatogenesis may occur in varicocele-related infertility. These abnormalities are manifested not only by reduced standard semen parameters but also by decreased sperm DNA integrity and simultaneously increased oxidative stress in semen.
Highlights
Introduction distributed under the terms andMedical data from past decades have clearly shown that infertility is a growing challenge for public health, with increased numbers of reproductive failures
Our study clearly demonstrated a decrease in standard sperm characteristics associated with severe sperm nuclear DNA damage and oxidative stress in semen in groups of positive- and negative-varicocele men with respect to the normozoospermic and fertile control groups (Figure 1)
Based on the presented data, we can suggest that in infertile men, including varicocelemediated cases, abnormal standard sperm characteristics coexist with a significant increase in sperm nuclear DNA fragmentation
Summary
Medical data from past decades have clearly shown that infertility is a growing challenge for public health, with increased numbers of reproductive failures. It is estimated that a male factor is present in half of infertility cases, but some data suggest that in the Middle East, the proportion of cases attributable to male factors is conditions of the Creative Commons.
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