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Human Reproduction, Vol. 14, No. 7, 1791-1793, July 1999
© 1999 European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology

Effect of varicocelectomy on the abnormal retention of residual cytoplasm by human spermatozoa

A. Zini1, M. Buckspan, M. Jamal and K. Jarvi

Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Mount Sinai Hospital, University of Toronto, 600 University Avenue, Suite 455, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5G 1X5

Abnormal retention of cytoplasmic residues by human spermatozoa is associated with the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in semen and defective sperm function. We have examined the effect of varicocelectomy on the retention of residual cytoplasm by human spermatozoa. Clinical reports of 43 men who underwent microsurgical varicocelectomy at our institution during a 1 year period beginning July 1996 were reviewed. Standard semen parameters (concentration, motility and morphology) and residual cytoplasm retention (monitored by Papanicolaou stain) were assessed before and 6 months after varicocelectomy. The percentage of spermatozoa with residual cytoplasm decreased significantly following varicocelectomy compared to pre-operatively (25.8 versus 18.1% respectively). The percentages of motile spermatozoa and normal forms increased significantly (P = 0.0003, P = 0.005 respectively) following varicocelectomy (22.6 versus 32.9% and 46.4 versus 54.4% respectively). Our data suggest that varicocelectomy can improve the disposal of residual sperm cytoplasm by the testis and/or epididymis in infertile men with varicocele. These data also suggest that varicocelectomy reduces the potential for ROS generation by human spermatozoa in these men.

Key words: cytoplasmic droplet/residual cytoplasm/spermatozoa/varicocele/varicocelectomy

1 To whom correspondence should be addressed


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