The Negative Impact of Varicocele on Basic Semen Parameters, Sperm Nuclear DNA Dispersion and Oxidation-Reduction Potential in Semen

Kamil Gill, Michal Kups, Patryk Harasny, Tomasz Machalowski, Marta Grabowska, Mariusz Lukaszuk, Marcin Matuszewski, Ewa Duchnik, Monika Fraczek, Maciej Kurpisz and Malgorzata Piasecka
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Kamil Gill: Department of Histology and Developmental Biology, Pomeranian Medical University, 71-210 Szczecin, Poland
Michal Kups: Department of Histology and Developmental Biology, Pomeranian Medical University, 71-210 Szczecin, Poland
Patryk Harasny: Department of Histology and Developmental Biology, Pomeranian Medical University, 71-210 Szczecin, Poland
Tomasz Machalowski: Department of Histology and Developmental Biology, Pomeranian Medical University, 71-210 Szczecin, Poland
Marta Grabowska: Department of Histology and Developmental Biology, Pomeranian Medical University, 71-210 Szczecin, Poland
Mariusz Lukaszuk: Healthcare Center Nowe Orlowo, 81-525 Gdynia, Poland
Marcin Matuszewski: Department of Urology, Medical University in Gdansk, 80-214 Gdansk, Poland
Ewa Duchnik: Department of Aesthetic Dermatology, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland
Monika Fraczek: Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, 60-479 Poznan, Poland
Maciej Kurpisz: Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, 60-479 Poznan, Poland
Malgorzata Piasecka: Department of Histology and Developmental Biology, Pomeranian Medical University, 71-210 Szczecin, Poland

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 11, 1-16

Abstract: Since varicocele is so common in infertile men, this study intends to analyse the relationships between varicocele and conventional semen characteristics, sperm nuclear DNA dispersion and oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) in semen. Varicocele-positive and varicocele-negative infertile men (study groups) showed significantly lower standard sperm parameters and higher sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) and ORP in semen than healthy volunteers and subjects with proven fertility (control groups). A lower proportion of low SDF levels (0–15% SDF) and higher incidence of high SDF levels (>30% SDF), as well as a higher prevalence of high ORP values (>1.37 mV/10 6 sperm/mL), were found in the study groups vs. the control groups. Moreover, infertile men had significantly lower odds ratios (ORs) for low SDF levels and significantly higher ORs for high SDF levels and high ORP. SDF and ORP were negatively correlated with sperm number, morphology, motility and vitality. Furthermore, a significant positive correlation was found between SDF and ORP. The obtained results suggest that disorders of spermatogenesis may occur in varicocele-related infertility. These abnormalities are manifested not only by reduced standard semen parameters but also by decreased sperm DNA integrity and simultaneously increased oxidative stress in semen.

Keywords: varicocele; infertility; sperm DNA fragmentation; oxidative stress (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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