No abstract

SUMMARY:Oxidative stress is increased in varicose veins. Many studies have implicated oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of infertility causing diseases of the female reproductive tract. The aim of this study was to determine whether varicocele can cause raised levels of reactive oxygen species and denaturation of mitochondrial structure in ovaries of female rats or not. In each experimental study, 15 weaning-age female rats were divided equally in 3 groups: Unilateral Varicose Vein (A), Sham (B) and Control (C) groups. Mitochondrial structure and malondialdehyde levels as a product of lipid peroxidation and Prooxidants-Antioxidants Balance were evaluated 60 days after intervention in proestrus stage. Comparisons between groups were made by the measured test. After 2 months, our results showed that mitochondrial structure ultra-structurally was denatured with histologic examination, malondialdehyde and prooxidants-antioxidants balance levels of left ovaries increased significantly in varicocele group compared to control and sham groups (P≤0.05). In the right side, malondialdehyde increased significantly, but in prooxidantsantioxidants balance levels, there is no significant differences between groups. The data of control and sham groups were the same. These findings may support the concept that increased levels of malondialdehyde and PAB in varicocele may cause negative effects on fertility, so using antioxidants maybe useful.