A morphometric and ultrastructural study of the changes in the lamina propria in adolescents with varicocele

Objective To verify if changes in the lamina propria and its components, re ported in adults with varicocele, are already present in adolescents with i diopathic varicocele. using a morphometric and ultrastructural study. Materials and methods Twenty testicular biopsies from adolescents (mean age 15.6 years) were obtained during surgery for left idiopathic varicocele; f ive testicular biopsies from adolescents (mean age 16 years) undergoing sur gery for hydrocele or inguinal hernia were used as controls, Biopsy specime ns were processed for light and transmission electron microscopy; the secti ons were evaluated morphometrically using computerized image analysis. Results Morphometric and ultrastructural examination of the testes with var icocele showed an increased thickness in the lamina propria, caused princip ally by an increase in the extracellular matrix components, and deep invagi nations towards the germinal epithelium. Conclusion There is detectable damage of the lamina propria in adolescents affected by left idiopathic varicocele, although not as well developed or a s severe as in adults.