The Effect of Varicocelectomy on Sperm Parameters in Subfertile Men with Clinical Varicoceles Who Have Asthenozoospermia or Teratozoospermia with Normal Sperm Density

Background. To compare preoperative and postoperative sperm parameters such as sperm count, motility, and morphology in patients with normal sperm concentration with teratozoospermia and asthenozoospermia. Materials and Methods. Hundred and six patients with varicocele associated with male infertility over a 5-year period were included into the study. Pre- and postvaricocelectomy seminal fluid parameters evaluation according to the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria was performed at 4–6-month intervals. Results. One hundred and six patients met the criteria. The mean age of patients was 24.53 ± 8.13. The mean duration of infertility was 3.6 years (range: 1.5–6.3). Only the sperm motility of patients with normospermia showed a significant improvement postoperatively. Conclusions. No significant improvement in sperm morphology may be obtained in patients with clinical varicocele and preoperative normospermia. 1. Introduction The incidence of infertility is 10–15% among couples trying to conceive, with male infertility contributing to nearly 50% of cases [1]. Although multiple factors may play a role in male infertility, varicocele is the most frequent finding in male infertility, with a prevalence of 19–41% of men with primary infertility and 45–81% of men with secondary infertility [1, 2]. Increased scrotal temperature, reflux of metabolites from the kidney and adrenal gland, decreased volume of blood flow, and anoxia are the supposed mechanisms [3]. Varicocele is also known as the most surgically correctable cause of male infertility, and its repair is the most commonly performed surgical procedure in order to correct male infertility [4]. Previous studies have shown abnormalities in the sperm count, motility, and morphology in varicocele patients and a significant improvement in these parameters following surgical correction [5]. The postoperative outcomes of varicocelectomy operation in patients with normal sperm count but with sperms having abnormal morphology and impaired motility have not been studied much. Therefore, in this retrospective study, we compared preoperative and postoperative sperm parameters such as sperm count, motility, and morphology in patients with normal sperm concentration showing abnormal forms and decreased motility pattern. 2. Materials and Methods The study included 106 patients seeking surgical treatment for varicocele in our institution from December 2008 to December 2011. There were no documented diseases that would affect the results. A basic infertility evaluation including a detailed history and a thorough