THE EFFECT OF VARICOCELECTOMY ON SERUM TESTOSTERONE LEVELS IN INFERTILE MEN WITH VARICOCELES

Purpose: We evaluated the effect of varicocelectomy on serum testoster one. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the effect of varicocelectomy on serum testosterone levels in 53 infertile men with varicoceles. Results: Mean serum testosterone increased from a preoper ative level of 319 +/- 12 to 409 +/- 23 ng./dl. postoperatively (p <0. 0004). Men with at least 1 firm testis preoperatively had a greater in crease in serum testosterone (p <0.005). An inverse correlation was no ted between preoperative testosterone levels and change in testosteron e after varicocelectomy (r = -0.34, p <0.013). Conclusions: Varicocele ctomy can increase serum testosterone for infertile men with varicocel es. Although improvement in serum testosterone does not necessarily ca use a direct improvement in semen quality, varicocelectomy may improve hormonal and spermatogenic function.