Right testicular volume is a dominant predictor of testicular function determined by sperm parameters and total testosterone

Abstract

This study aims to evaluate the predictive value of left testicular volume (LTV) and right testicular volume (RTV) for testicular function respectively. Men who requested fertility testing for any reason were enrolled from December 2012 to November 2015. Subjects with primary scrotal diseases or a condition interfering reproductive system were excluded. Testicular volume (TV) was evaluated by scrotal ultrasound. Sex hormone and semen analysis including sperm concentration (SC) and sperm motility rate (SMR) were performed. Statistical analysis including comparison, stepwise linear regression and logistic regression was used. Two hundred and seventy-four patients with oligoasthenozoospermia/low testosterone and 27 control subjects were enrolled. Both LTV and RTV positively correlated with testicular function, and no differences were found between bilateral TV. RTV is the best independent factor associated with testicular function determined by SC (β=.292, p < .001), SMR (β=.227, p < .001) and total testosterone (TT) (β=.245, p < .001). Using a RTV value of 15.47 ml, the highest discriminating sensitivity and specificity were 66.7% and 62.4% respectively. RTV (<15 ml) was the only positive predictor for low testicular function (odds ratio=2.79, 95% confidence interval: 1.18-6.66; p =.020). RTV rather than LTV is the independent factor of overall testicular function determined by semen quality and TT levels. Further studies are needed to support and elucidate the difference in volume-function between bilateral testes.

Diagnostic accuracy of resistive index of capsular and intratesticular branches of testicular arteries in infertile men with oligoasthenospermia: A case-control study

“…[11][12][13][14]. It has been previously confirmed a strong relationship between testicular volume and function [15][16][17]. Additionally, 70-80% of testicular volume is composed of seminiferous tubules, which are the site of spermatogenesis.…”

Preliminary investigation of the diagnostic value of shear wave elastography in evaluating the testicular spermatogenic function in patients with azoospermia

“…Compared with the right‐angle insertion of the left testicular vein into the left renal vein, the insertion of the right testicular vein directly into the inferior vena cava might provide less flow turbulence and back pressure, thereby inducing a lower incidence of venous dilation in the right spermatic cord. According to Huang and colleagues (Huang et al., 2018), the right testis has a higher prediction value for spermiogenesis function. We excluded patients in which the right testis was much smaller than the left testis.…”

“…For patients with hypospermatogenesis, spermatogenesis arrest and SCO syndrome, the successful sperm retrieval rate ranges from 14% to 79%, and a biopsy is crucial for the assessment of prognosis and treatment (Bar‐Shira Maymon et al., 2003; Gul et al., 2013; Su et al., 1999). Testicular volume is also related to spermatogenesis function (Huang et al., 2018; Küçükdurmaz et al., 2017). In the present study, patients with spermatogenesis arrest and SCO syndrome were distinguishable based on the SWE value (AUC = 0.79).…”

“…Because of the excellent inter‐observer reproducibility in the repeated 2D‐SWE measurements (Rocher et al., 2017; Woo et al., 2015; Zheng et al., 2015), examinations were performed by a single operator who had 12 years of experience in ultrasonography and 7 years of experience in SWE. The right testis was used for assessing the volume and SWE, as it was reported to have higher predictive value for spermiogenesis function (Huang et al., 2018).…”

“…Ultrasound (US) is the cornerstone of primary imaging modalities used for patients with testicular diseases (Lotti & Maggi, 2015; Pozza et al., 2020; Schurich et al., 2009). In addition, sonographic measurements of testicular volume and stiffness have been shown to be associated with male infertility (Du et al., 2010; Huang et al., 2018).…”