Impact of varicocele on biological markers of gonadal function

Blevrakis, Evangelos; Chatzidarellis, E.; Anyfantakis, Dimitrios; Sakellaris, George; Raissaki, Maria; Zoras, Odysseas; Mamoulakis, C.; Sofras, Frank; Chrysos, Emmanuel

doi:10.1007/s10029-015-1361-x

Cited by 12 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 28 publications

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“…Probably, it might also reflect a lower sensitivity of Leydig cells to oxidative stress. To confirm our hypothesis, several studies not identified any correlation between small testicular volume related to varicocoele and LH . Indeed, any changes in Sertoli cell function and inhibin b secretion should not impact LH secretion .…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 71%

Redox status assessment in infertile patients with non‐obstructive azoospermia undergoing testicular sperm extraction: A prospective study

et al. 2019

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Background Oxidative stress (OS) is one of the most prevalent causes of sperm damage, through the toxic effects of endogenously generated hydrogen peroxide, superoxide anion, and hydroxyl radicals. Peripheral leukocytes represent a feasible model for studying the pathophysiology of OS‐mediated homeostasis, which can be responsible for cell dysfunction and cell injury. Objective To evaluate the redox status in patients with non‐obstructive azoospermia (NOA), establishing the potential role exerted by reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the genesis of testicular secretory injury. Material and methods From May 2018 to March 2019, 39 patients were enrolled in this prospective single‐center cohort study and divided into two groups. Group 1 included 19 patients with NOA, and Group 2 included 20 normozoospermic men, partners of women with infertility tubal factor. All patients underwent serum blood tests. NOA underwent testicular sperm extraction (TeSE). ROS production (in lymphocytes, monocytes, and granulocytes) was assessed by fluorescence‐activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis. Plasma oxidative stress was evaluated by lipid peroxidation markers (MDA) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) both assessed by fluorometric techniques. Results Mean lymphocyte ROS production resulted 967.0 ± 224.5 vs 728.0 ± 98.0 (NOA vs Controls, P < .001), monocyte ROS resulted 2102.5 ± 517.5 vs 1253 ± 171 (P < .001), and granulocyte ROS were 2366.5 ± 595.4 vs 1751.0 ± 213.0 (P < .001). Significant increases plasma lipid peroxidation markers were found in NOA patients compared with controls (2.7 ± 0.8 vs 0.37 ± 0.2 nmol/mL, P < .001). Significant decreased TAC was evident in NOA compared with controls (13.4 ± 3.9 vs 3.0 ± 0.2 µmol/mL Trolox equivalents, P < .001). No significant differences were found in blood leukocyte subpopulations ROS production, plasma lipid peroxidation, and TAC comparing groups (positive vs negative sperm retrieval, P > .05). Conclusion ROS production can be directly related to disorders of spermatogenesis, leading to severe conditions of male infertility, including azoospermia.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 71%

Redox status assessment in infertile patients with non‐obstructive azoospermia undergoing testicular sperm extraction: A prospective study

et al. 2019

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“…Damsgaard et al also showed that the grade of varicocele weakly and negatively correlates with LH and testosterone levels, suggesting that oxidative stress might negatively impact Leydig cell function (Damsgaard et al, ). Yet, other studies have not identified any correlation between varicocele and LH (Blevrakis et al, ; Pasqualotto et al, ; Plymate et al, ). Thus, further investigations are warranted to fully understand the mechanism behind the correlation between oxidative stress and LH.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 92%

“…If oxidative stress plays a role in reducing testicular volume via Sertoli cell degeneration, it will negatively impact Sertoli cell secretion of inhibin b (Damsgaard et al, ). Inhibin b is considered a marker for Sertoli cell function and seminiferous tubule integrity (Blevrakis et al, ; Damsgaard et al, ; Di Bisceglie et al, ; Plymate et al, ; Romeo et al, ). It plays a key role in the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis, reducing FSH secretion via negative feedback on the pituitary gland.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Correlation of oxidation–reduction potential with hormones, semen parameters and testicular volume

et al. 2019

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Seminal oxidative stress (OS) is a major cause of male factor infertility and can be measured as oxidation–reduction potential (ORP). Studies showed significant negative relationships of ORP with sperm count, motility or DNA integrity. Since these parameters are also positively or negatively associated with reproductive hormones follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinising hormone (LH), testosterone, testicular volume and the occurrence of varicocele, it is important to understand the mechanistic relationship between ORP and hormonal and/or testicular parameters. Therefore, we studied the relationship between ORP levels, standard hormone profiles and testicular volume in infertile men with and without varicocele. Results show a highly significant negative relationship of ORP with testicular volume and significantly positive correlations with FSH and LH. Yet, when adding varicocele as covariate, the relationship with FSH/LH became nonsignificant. Contrary, the presence of varicocele had only a contributing influence on the association of ORP with the testis volume. No association was found with estradiol. We propose that since OS causes degeneration of Sertoli cell with testicular shrinkage, such negative effect would result in a negative feedback on the hypothalamus with less inhibin secretion. This may result in increased secretion of LH and FSH. Thus, systemic and/or local OS may be responsible for smaller testis volumes.

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“… 19 20 Inhibin B levels also often improve after varicocelectomy, suggesting a reversible Sertoli cell defect. 21 22 …”

Section: Varicocele Pathophysiologymentioning

confidence: 99%

When is a varicocele repair indicated: the dilemma of hypogonadism and erectile dysfunction?

Dabaja

Goldstein

2016

Asian J Androl

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In the past, the indications for varicocelectomy are primarily for infertility with abnormal semen parameters, testicular hypotrophy/atrophy in adolescents, and/or pain. The surgical treatment of varicocele for hypogonadism is controversial and debated. Recently, multiple reports in the literature have suggested that varicocele is associated with hypogonadism and varicocele repair can increase testosterone levels. Men with hypogonadal symptoms should have at least two serum testosterone levels. Microsurgical varicocelectomy may be beneficial for men with clinically palpable varicoceles with documented hypogonadism. In this review, we summarize the most recent literature linking varicocele to hypogonadism and sexual dysfunction and the impact of repair on serum testosterone levels. We performed a search of the published English literature. The key words used were “varicocele and hypogonadism” and “varicocele surgery and testosterone.” We included published studies after 1998. We, also, evaluated the effect of surgery on the changes in the serum testosterone level regardless of the indication for the varicocele repair.

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Impact of varicocele on biological markers of gonadal function

Abstract: Serum inhibin B levels could represent a useful marker of Sertoli cell damage caused by varicocele.

Cited by 12 publications

References 28 publications

Redox status assessment in infertile patients with non‐obstructive azoospermia undergoing testicular sperm extraction: A prospective study

Redox status assessment in infertile patients with non‐obstructive azoospermia undergoing testicular sperm extraction: A prospective study

Correlation of oxidation–reduction potential with hormones, semen parameters and testicular volume

When is a varicocele repair indicated: the dilemma of hypogonadism and erectile dysfunction?

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