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Varicocelectomy improves sperm strict morphology and motility
E C Schatte1, S J Hirshberg, M L Fallick
1Scott Department of Urology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.
The Journal of Urology
|September 29, 1998
Summary
Varicocelectomy significantly improves sperm motility and morphology in subfertile men with varicoceles. This repair enhances sperm head structure, potentially increasing pregnancy rates.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Medicine
- Urology
- Andrology
Background:
- Varicocele is a common cause of male infertility.
- Sperm defects are frequently observed in men with varicoceles.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of varicocelectomy on semen parameters.
- To assess changes in Kruger strict morphology and specific sperm defects post-surgery.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study of 61 subfertile men diagnosed with varicocele.
- Blinded semen analysis, including Kruger strict morphology, before and at least 4 months after varicocelectomy.
Main Results:
- Significant increases in sperm motility, total motile sperm count, and normal strict morphology percentage.
- Improvements noted in sperm head morphology, while tail and neck morphology showed no significant changes.
- Sperm density increased; volume and forward progression remained unchanged.
Conclusions:
- Varicocele repair positively impacts sperm motility and morphology in subfertile men.
- Improved sperm head morphology after varicocelectomy may contribute to higher pregnancy rates.
- Kruger strict morphology is a valuable metric for assessing surgical outcomes in varicocele treatment.