Testicular function after herniotomy. Herniotomy and fertility

One hundred thirty one men who underwent inguinal herniotomy were included in this study, of these, 19 (14.4%) were found to have changes in their testicular size on the side of the operation. Of the 19 men 9 had been operated on for right inguinal hernia, 6 for left inguinal hernia and 4 for bilateral inguinal hernia. All the men were infertile with decreased sperm quality (as measured by concentration, motility, degree of motility and morphology). Most of the men with damaged testes showed elevated serum FSH and decreased serum testosterone. 112 men who had undergone herniotomy were found to have normal sized testicles. They were referred to this institute because of infertility and their semen quality and blood hormones (FSH, LH and testosterone) were evaluated for comparison with the group of the men possessing damaged testicles.