Leydig Cell Function in Oligospermicmen with Varicocele

Significant improvement of sperm DNA quality after microsurgical repair of varicocele

“…We previously reported that the seminal plasma of patients with varicocele had excessive oxidative stress, even in men with normospermia [Sakamoto et al 2008]. Deleterious effects of altered Leydig cell function and seminiferous tubule damage in varicocele patients can disrupt the endocrine pathway affecting follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and testosterone [Pasqualotto et al 2005;Weiss et al 1978]. On one hand a study has indicated that varicocelectomy improved Sertoli cell and Leydig cell function increasing serum testosterone, and resulted in improvement in sperm concentration and motility [Su et al 1995].…”

Correlation of Hormone and Histologic Parameters in Infertile Men with Varicocele

“…The serum testosterone level was lower in patients with varicocele than in fertile and in infertile men without varicocele [1,14], but our analysis and others could not detect the same level [13,15,17], The serum prolactin level was similar to that found in fertile men, and this study is one of the few in which the determination of this hormone among infertile men with varicocele was done [4], Evaluation of Leydig cell function by the determina tion of basal serum level of LH and testosterone did not elucidate any abnormality in our group of infertile men with varicocele. Normal Leydig cell function has also been reported by others [13,16,17,19], while several authors found Leydig cell dysfunction in infertile men with varicocele [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19], Recent studies suggest either a stimulation test (HCG stimulation test or clomiphene test) or in vitro steroid biosynthesis for careful evaluation of Leydig cell function. In patients with varicocele and a sperm count under 10 X 109/liter [19] and 3 X 109/liter [8], an exaggerated response of gonadotropins was record ed.…”

“…Normal Leydig cell function has also been reported by others [13,16,17,19], while several authors found Leydig cell dysfunction in infertile men with varicocele [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19], Recent studies suggest either a stimulation test (HCG stimulation test or clomiphene test) or in vitro steroid biosynthesis for careful evaluation of Leydig cell function. In patients with varicocele and a sperm count under 10 X 109/liter [19] and 3 X 109/liter [8], an exaggerated response of gonadotropins was record ed. Endocrine assessment of infertile men with varicocele enables us to separate those who need not undergo surgi cal treatment (elevated serum FSH level) and those who need medical treatment after varicocelectomy (with dis turbed Leydig cell function).…”

Testicular Blood Flow Alterations and Flow Cytometric Analysis in Prepubertal Rats with Experimentally Induced Unilateral Varicocele

“…A minor decrease in ipsilateral testicular blood flow was observed, although this did not reach statistical significance. It is possible that some compensatory mechanisms such as maturation of the hypothalamo-hypophyseal-gonadal axis [14] and restoration of the defective energy metabolism [15] may take place during the pubertal period which prevent (or correct) contralateral blood flow alterations.…”