ECE2007 Poster Presentations (1) (659 abstracts)
Varicocele sclerotherapy improves serum inhibin B levels and seminal parameters
Matteo Baldi 1 , Cataldo Di Bisceglie 1 , Fabio Lanfranco 1 , Angela Bertagna 1 , Milena Tagliabue 1 , Carlo Gazzera 2 , Giovanni Gandini 2 & Chiara Manieri 1
1Div. Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, Dep. Internal Medicine, University of Turin, Torino, Italy; 2Dep. Radiodiagnostics IV, Dep. Medical-Surgical Disciplines, University of Turin, Torino, Italy.
Varicocele is a state of varicosity and tortuosity of the pampiniform plexus around the testis caused by retrograde blood flow. The association between varicocele and male subfertility has been questioned, thus the usefulness of treating varicocele in order to improve fertility is still a matter of debate. Inhibin B levels reflect the functional state of the seminiferous epithelium, and have been found to be a sensitive index of spermatogenesis. Serum inhibin B levels have been reported to increase after surgical varicocelectomy along with the improvement of sperm concentration. The aim of this study was to evaluate variations of seminal parameters and inhibin B concentrations in a group of 38 males affected by varicocele and treated by percutaneous retrograde sclerotherapy. Serum inhibin B, FSH, testosterone levels and seminal parameters were performed before and 6 months after sclerotherapy. Twenty age-matched patients with left varicocele who did not undergo any treatment were studied as controls. A significant increase of inhibin B levels and a significant decrease of FSH levels were observed 6 months after treatment (mean±S.E.M., 125.8±15.7 vs 106.4±12.7 pg/ml, P<0.01; 4.5±0.6 vs 5.6±1.0 mIU/ml P<0.05); no significant change of testosterone levels was observed. After treatment semen analysis showed a significant improvement of sperm concentration (66.3±10.4 vs 39.0±6.6 million/ml, P<0.05) and progressive motility (52.2±3.7 vs 40.2±4.1%, P<0.01); no significant change of sperm normal morphology was observed. In the control group no significant variations of hormonal and seminal parameters were observed 6 months after the basal examination. In conclusion, percutaneous retrograde sclerotherapy in varicocele improves inhibin B levels and seminal parameters, confirming its positive effect on spermatogenesis and Sertoli cell function.
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Endocrine Abstracts
ISSN 1470-3947 (print) | ISSN 1479-6848 (online)
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