Reproductive hormones and sperm parameters after varicocele repair: An observational study

Varicocele repair (VR) is associated with improved sperm parameters in subfertile patients. We examined the association of the levels of reproductive hormones, scrotal colour Doppler ultrasound (CDU) and seminal parameters in subfertile men, before and after VR. Fifty subfertile males, with left-side varicocele, were enrolled in this retrospective study. The serum levels of FSH, LH and total testosterone (TT), along with continuous left spermatic venous reflux (SVR) and testicular volumes at CDU were evaluated, before and six months after VR by a left-side retrograde internal spermatic vein sclero-embolisation (SVE). Left-side SVR was either no longer present or significantly reduced in all patients after VR (p < 0.0001). Sperm parameters, in particular, the total sperm motile count (TMC), were found significantly improved after VR (p < 0.0001). Post-VR, no differences were observed in the baseline values of the reproductive hormones. Only SVR change was seen to predict TMC change (p = 0.026) in the univariate analysis, while reproductive hormones change had no effect on TMC change (FSH:p = 0.85;LH:p = 0.44;TT:p = 0.76). In conclusion, the improved sperm parameters were associated with the disappearance or reduction in SVR and not with changes in the levels of reproductive hormones after SVE. Thus, SVR change at CDU was the only predictor of improved sperm quality after VR in subfertile males.