EFFECT OF VARICOCELE ON FERTILITY POTENTIAL - COMPARISON BETWEEN IMPREGNATING AND NONIMPREGNATING GROUPS

Sixty patients with varicocele, complaining of infertility, underwent a corrective operation. Eighteen (30%) of the 60 patients impregnated their mates (impregnating group). Sperm concentration significantly in creased after the operation in the impregnating group (p < .05), but n ot in the patients who failed to impregnate their mates (nonimpregnati ng group). Sperm motility was not altered after the operation in these two groups. Sperm velocity significantly increased postoperatively in the impregnating group (p < .05), while linearity was not altered in either group. Sperm swelling significantly increased postoperatively i n the impregnating group (p < .05), but not in the nonimpregnating gro up. Preoperative sperm parameters were not different between the two g roups. Varicocele may disturb sperm function including sperm motion be sides spermatogenesis and may impair the fertility potential. However, a prospective large-scale controlled study is required to obtain a de finitive conclusion.