Varicocele is an abnormal dilation and tortuosity of the venous plexus above the testicles. It is a relatively uncommon condition before the age of 10 yr; however, its prevalence is 15% in young adults and 20% to 40% among infertile men (1). Currently, varicocele diagnosis and assessment depend on physical examination and scrotal ultrasonography/Doppler evaluation (2, 3). One of the main explan...

OBJECTIVE We investigated hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) expression and fibrosis in the testis of rats with surgically induced varicocele. MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of 47 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were arranged in 3 groups, namely group 1 (varicocele operation 4 weeks ago, n=10; sham operation 4 weeks ago, n=5), group 2 (8 weeks, n=11; n=5...

Objective(s) Varicocele is associated with impaired testicular function and male infertility, but the molecular mechanisms by which fertility is affected have not been satisfactorily explained. The aim of our study was to investigate whether or not the polymerase gamma (POLG) polymorphism is associated with Iranian varicocele patients.    Materials and Methods We determined the POLG CAG repe...

In this study we have described our varicocele cases in terms of associated symptoms/signs. In addition, we have tested the correlation between semen parameters and varicocele grades and compared the relative frequencies of associated symptoms/signs in different varicocele grades. 1 19 referred cases of varicocele were categorized based on clinical criteria into 3 grades by one examiner. T...

Background: Varicocele is considered as a common cause of male infertility and can affect spermatogenesis. In addition, it also predisposed sperm to chromatin damage and morphological alternation. Other factors, such as environmental and genetic conditions also predispose sperm to these conditions. To answer this question, we aimed to evaluation of DNA fragmentation and protamine deficiency thr...

Background: Varicocele suggests that in addition to effects on spermatogenesis, varicocele also impairs testicular Leydig cell function with a consequential decrease in testosterone production; correction of the varicocele may result in improved serum testosterone levels. Materials and Methods: We measured preoperative serum testosterone levels in 40 infertile men with varicoceles varicocele (g...

Background: Varicocele is a common cause of male infertility with multifactorial etiology. Inflammation is a characteristic pathological event that occurs in the testis tissue following the varicocele. The aim of this study was to investigate expression of nod-like receptor family, pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome components and cytokines in semen of varicocele and control subject...

Background Despite the long history associated with varicocele, it remains one of the most controversial issues in the field of Andrology. The main base of this is our current understanding of the pathophysiology of this disease. This has hampered treatment and management of varicocele, especially regarding why, when and to whom varicocelectomy should be applied. The main molecular pathology of...