Ck. Naughton et al., Varicocele and male infertility: Part II - Pathophysiology of varicoceles in male infertility, HUM REP UPD, 7(5), 2001, pp. 473-481
Varicoceles are found in 19 to 41% of infertile men, and is one treatable f
orm of male infertility. The mechanism by which varicoceles cause the varia
ble effect on male infertility and spermatogenesis is still unknown. Experi
mental animal models play a useful (but limited) role due to the sudden and
variable iatrogenic nature of the varicoceles and the duration of the stud
ies. Much of the human data are derived by the characterization of associat
ed differences in measurable parameters between men with and without varico
celes. The role of hyperthermia, testicular blood flow and venous pressure
changes, reflux of renal/adrenal products, hormonal dysfunction, autoimmuni
ty, defects in acrosome reaction, and oxidative stress, in the pathophysiol
ogy of varicocele will be discussed.