[Genetic characteristics of varicocele: An almost unexplored area]

Varicocele (VC) is a most common risk factor of male infertility and its etiology, however, remains rarely explored. Some researchers reported the genetic predisposition of VC, showing that its prevalence was 3－8 times higher in the first-degree relatives of the patients than in the controls. Studies on the genetic characteristics of VC are relatively rare, only a few relating its association with single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP). The onset of VC is known to be related to venous varicosity (VV) in the lower extremity, and the two conditions have similar pathogenesis and clinical features. Several studies confirmed the association of the onset of VV with some SNPs, such as the essential transcription factor for the formation of venous valves and vascular development FOXC2, the gene of vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA), and its receptor gene VEGFR2. The mechanisms of the SNPs affecting VV in the lower extremity are similar to the pathogenesis of VC, which may shed some light on the etiology of VC. The exploration of the genetic characteristics of VC is of much significance for the early prevention and precision therapy of diseases, and an insight into the correlation between VC and lower extremity VV may afford some valuable clues to studies on the genetic characteristics of VC.