Varicocele and male infertility: Part II - Pathophysiology of varicoceles in male infertility

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.