Abstract
(Purpose) To determine pretreatment parameters which predict improvements following varicocele repaire in semen quality.
(Materials and Methods) We retrospectively evaluated a total of 139 infertile patients who underwent varicocelectomy from February 1995 to March 2000. A logistic regression analysis was performed to identify parameters associated with improvements in semen quality. Parameters evaluated included varicocele grade, age, testicular volume, serum testosterone, liteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), preoperative sperm density and sperm motility.
(Results) Of 139 patients 71 (51.0%) improved sperm concentration and 59 (42.4%) improved sperm motility postoperatively. Overall, median sperm density significantly increased from 10×106/ml preoperatively to 30×106/ml postoperatively. Sperm motility also significantly increased 33% to 45%. In logistic regression analysis, varicocele grade (odds ratio [OR]=5.7; 95% confidential interval [CI]: 1.9-17), FSH level ([OR]=0.76; [CI]: 0.60-0.96) and sperm motility ([OR]=1.03; [CI]: 1.0-1.1) were independent predictive factors for improvement in sperm concentration.
(Conclusion) Varicocelectomy improves sperm concentration and motility. Our data suggest that patients with grade 3 varicocele, low serum FSH level and high sperm motility are more likely to benefit from varicocele repair in sperm concentration.
