Effect of varicocele on sperm respiration and metabolism

Semen samples from 41 infertile male patients (30 with varicocele and 11 controls) were examined, lactic and pyruvic acids were measured and the oxygen consumption was determined. Decreased sperm count, diminished motility, decreased lactic acid concentration and oxygen consumption were noticed among the varicocele patients as compared to controls. Pyruvic acid concentration was slightly increased in the varicocele group. It was concluded that a decrease in lactic dehydrogenase activity may be one of the abnormalities in the semen of varicocele patients.