Association between varicocele grade and semen analysis parameter

Abstract

Background: Varicocele is a condition characterized by elongation, dilatation and tortuousity of spermatic vein in pampiniform plexus. Approximately 50% of infertility cases among men are caused by varicocele. The varicocele may affect the components of sperm. This study aimed to determine the association between varicocele grade based on ultrasound Doppler examination and sperm concentration, sperm motility, and sperm morphology based on semen analysis examination.Methods: This was a descriptive, cross-sectional study which used secondary data from 85 patients that visited Department of Urology, Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, then underwent ultrasonography examination at Department of Radiology, Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital and semen analysis examination at Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital.Results: Varicocele grade was significantly associated with sperm morphology, concentration and motility (all p<0.05). Significant association was found between maximum condition and semen analysis component.Conclusion: Varicocele grade may affect semen analysis component.

Conventional semen analysis and advanced sperm function tests in diagnosis and management of varicocele

“…Varicoceles are graded based on physical examination, with grades 1, 2 and 3 varicoceles defined as palpable only by Valsalva, palpable without Valsalva and visible on examination respectively. The relationship between varicocele grade and degree of disturbance to semen parameters is controversial, although multiple studies have shown a significant correlation between increasing grade and semen analysis abnormalities, as well as lower testosterone levels (Al-Ali, Shamloul, Pichler, Augustin, & Pummer, 2013;Ariyati, Mulyadi, Birowo, Wiweko, & Prihartono, 2018). In a prospective study comparing men with varicoceles to normozoospermic controls, stratification by grade revealed a significantly higher percentage of men with normal semen parameters in those with grade I (50%) versus grade III (24%) varicoceles (Vivas-Acevedo, Lozano, & Camejo, 2010).…”