Effect of varicocelectomy on the abnormal retention of residual cytoplasm by human spermatozoa

Abnormal retention of cytoplasmic residues by human spermatozoa is associat ed with the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in semen and defect ive sperm function. We have examined the effect of varicocelectomy on the r etention of residual cytoplasm by human spermatozoa. Clinical reports of 43 men who underwent microsurgical varicocelectomy at our institution during a 1 year period beginning July 1996 were reviewed. Standard semen parameter s (concentration, motility and morphology) and residual cytoplasm retention (monitored by Papanicolaou stain) were assessed before and 6 months after varicocelectomy. The percentage of spermatozoa with residual cytoplasm decr eased significantly following varicocelectomy compared to pre-operatively ( 25.8 versus 18.1% respectively). The percentages of motile spermatozoa and normal forms increased significantly (P = 0.0003, P = 0.005 respectively) f ollowing varicocelectomy (22.6 versus 32.9% and 46.4 versus 54.4% respectiv ely), Our data suggest that varicocelectomy can improve the disposal of res idual sperm cytoplasm by the testis and/or epididymis in infertile men with varicocele. These data also suggest that varicocelectomy reduces the poten tial for ROS generation by human spermatozoa in these men.