FERTILITY OF MEN FOLLOWING INGUINAL-HERNIA REPAIR

Among 8500 patients attending the fertility clinic due to infertility, 565 men (6.65%) reported an incidence of inguinal hernioplasty with o r without subsequent atrophy of the testis. Semen quality (sperm conce ntrations, motility, and morphology) of these patients was markedly re duced in comparison to that of fertile men. In cases where hernioplast y was followed by atrophy of the testis, damage to sperm characteristi cs and Sertoli cell function was found to be far greater. This was als o reflected in significant serum follicle stimulating hormone elevatio n (P < 0.0025). No changes in luteinizing hormone and testosterone wer e found. No correlation was found between age of hernioplasty and seme n quality following operation. The reasons for testicular damage may b e due to ischaemic orchitis or immunological reactions.