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Somatic angiotensin converting enzyme in varicocele
R Asci1, S Sarikaya, R Buyukalpelli
1Department of Urology, School of Medicine, Ondokuz Mayis University, Samsun, Turkey. rasci@omu.edu.tr
Archives of Andrology
|May 27, 2006
Summary
This study found no significant difference in somatic Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) activity between infertile men with varicocele and fertile controls. Somatic ACE activity does not appear to cause varicocele-related infertility.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Andrology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) exists as somatic and testis-specific isozymes.
- Somatic ACE is present in blood and various tissues, while the testis-specific form is found in sperm.
- Varicocele is a common cause of male infertility.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate somatic ACE activity in infertile patients with varicocele.
- To determine the correlation between somatic ACE activity and spermatologic parameters in varicocele patients.
Main Methods:
- Somatic ACE activity was measured in peripheral and spermatic vein blood samples using kinetic spectrophotometric assay.
- Semen analyses were conducted according to WHO guidelines.
- Study included 31 infertile patients with varicocele and 11 fertile controls.
Main Results:
- No significant difference was observed in somatic ACE activity between the varicocele group and the control group.
- No statistically significant correlation was found between spermatologic parameters and somatic ACE activity in either group.
Conclusions:
- Somatic ACE activity does not appear to play a causative role in the pathophysiology of varicocele.
- Somatic ACE is unlikely to be a factor in varicocele-related infertility.