Relationship of spermatozoal DNA fragmentation with semen quality in varicocele-positive men

The aim of the study was to assess the semen quality and levels of spermatozoal nuclear DNA fragmentation in subfertile subjects clinically diagnosed with varicocele, subfertile subjects without varicocele and healthy fertile controls. Semen samples were obtained from 302 subjects. Of them, 115 were healthy fertile controls having normal semen characteristics, 121 subfertile men diagnosed with varicocele, both, clinically and on ultrasonography, while 66 subjects were subfertile with no varicocele. Spermatozoal concentration, percentage motility, morphology and DNA fragmentation were measured. In the study population, deterioration in semen quality-decreased spermatozoal concentration, percentage motility and normal morphology was seen in subfertile subjects, especially with varicocele. Highest spermatozoal DNA fragmentation was observed in varicocele-positive subjects as compared with varicocele-negative subjects and healthy fertile controls. Significant negative correlation was seen between spermatozoal DNA fragmentation and concentration (r = -0.310), motility (r = -0.328) normal morphology, WHO method (r = -0.221) and Tygerberg strict criteria (r = -0.180) in the varicocele-positive subfertile subjects. In conclusion, this study suggests existence of a negative relationship between spermatozoal DNA fragmentation and semen quality in varicocele-positive subfertile subjects.