Factors affecting fertility after varicocelectomy

We performed high ligation of the internal spermatic vein in 27 cases of left varicocele with disturbance of spermatogenesis, and studied postoperative fertility. The results indicated that the cases were divided into three groups, namely group I in which pregnancy occurred after ligation: group II in which the sperm count increased but no pregnancy occurred, and group III in which there was no improvement in the sperm count. The age, size of varicocele, preoperative volume of bilateral testicle, bilateral testicular histologies, serum LH, serum FSH, peak responded value after LH-RH administration, plasma testosterone and response after HCG administration were evaluated. We detected that the volume of bilateral testicles, bilateral testicular histologies, serum FSH and the response after LH-RH administration served as good indicators for postoperative evaluation of fertility.