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U-Shaped Horizontal Swimming Technique for Preparing High-Quality Sperm with Low DNA Fragmentation Index
Published on: March 28, 2025
[High ligation of the spermatic vein and sperm DNA fragmentation]
Yang-yang Hu1, Li-zhang Lin, Cheng-di Li
1Department of Urology, The First Hospital Affiliated to Wenzhou Medical College, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, China. huyangyang0577@126.com
Insights
High ligation of the spermatic vein (HLSV) significantly improves sperm quality in varicocele (VC) patients. The procedure reduces DNA fragmentation and enhances sperm morphology, concentration, and motility.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Medicine
- Urology
- Andrology
Context:
- Varicocele (VC) is a common cause of male infertility.
- Sperm DNA fragmentation is a key factor in VC-associated infertility.
- High ligation of the spermatic vein (HLSV) is a surgical option for VC treatment.
Purpose:
- To evaluate the impact of HLSV on sperm DNA fragmentation in varicocele patients.
- To assess changes in sperm parameters following HLSV.
Summary:
- Thirty-four varicocele patients underwent HLSV, with sperm analysis conducted pre- and post-operation.
- HLSV resulted in significant improvements in sperm morphology, reduced DNA fragmentation, and increased sperm concentration and motility.
- Post-operative sperm DNA fragmentation was lower in patients with Grades I-III VC.
Impact:
- HLSV effectively enhances sperm quality in varicocele patients.
- The findings support HLSV as a beneficial treatment for improving reproductive outcomes in men with varicocele.
- This study contributes to understanding the efficacy of HLSV in addressing sperm DNA damage.
Objective:
To investigate the effect of high ligation of the spermatic vein (HLSV) on DNA fragmentation in varicocele (VC) patients.
Methods:
Thirty-four VC patients underwent HLSV. Sperm motion indexes and the results of papanicolaou staining and DNA fragmentation detection were analyzed before and 3 months after the operation according to the WHO guidelines.
Results:
Compared with pre-operation, HLSV achieved a significant increase in the percentage of morphologically normal sperm (P < 0.01), and remarkable decreases in DNA fragmentation, sperm deformity index (SDI) and multiple anomalies index (MAI) (P < 0.01). The patients also showed significant increases in sperm concentration and the percentages of grade b sperm (P < 0.05) and grade a and a + b sperm (P < 0.01) after the operation. The post-operative percentages of sperm DNA fragmentation in those with grades I - III VC were markedly lower (P < 0.01), but showed no significant difference from that in those with subclinical VC (P > 0.05). The percentage of big-halo sperm was significantly increased (P < 0.01), while those of the medium-, small- and non-halo sperm remarkably decreased (P < 0.01) after HLSV.
Conclusion:
HLSV can effectively improve the sperm quality of VC patients.
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