TY - JOUR
T1 - Testis volumes, semen quality, and hormonal patterns in adolescents with and without a varicocele
AU - Haans, L. C.F.
AU - Laven, J. S.E.
AU - Mali, W. P.T.M.
AU - Te Velde, E. R.
AU - Wensing, C. J.G.
PY - 1991/10
Y1 - 1991/10
N2 - Objective: To study the effects of varicocele on testicular function in adolescents. Design: A prospective controlled study in 88 randomly selected adolescents. Setting: All participants were referred to the fertility outpatient clinic of our University Hospital. Participants: All participants with a grade II varicocele (group 2) or a grade III varicocele (group 3) were selected at a district military medical council, whereas a similar group of healthy volunteers without a varicocele served as controls (group 3). Interventions: Testis volumes were measured using an orchiometer. Semen analysis was performed according to standard procedures, and serum hormone levels were determined using a radioimmunoassay. Main Outcome Measure(s): Testis volumes, semen quality, and hormonal parameters in adolescents with and without a varicocele were compared. Results: In group 1 (n = 21), the mean left testis volume (24.5 mL; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 22.8 to 26.2) was significantly (P < 0.05) different from group 2 (n = 15) (20.9 mL; 95% CI: 18.5 to 23.4) and group 3 (n = 52) (20.7 mL; 95% CI: 19.2 to 22.2) (P < 0.01) adolescents. In adolescents with a pronounced varicocele-associated left testicular growth failure, the total sperm number was reduced. However, sperm concentration, motility, and morphology were not altered. Luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, testosterone, and prolactine levels were all within the normal ranges in the three groups. Conclusions: Left testicular growth failure in adolescents with a varicocele is only associated with a decrease in total sperm number.
AB - Objective: To study the effects of varicocele on testicular function in adolescents. Design: A prospective controlled study in 88 randomly selected adolescents. Setting: All participants were referred to the fertility outpatient clinic of our University Hospital. Participants: All participants with a grade II varicocele (group 2) or a grade III varicocele (group 3) were selected at a district military medical council, whereas a similar group of healthy volunteers without a varicocele served as controls (group 3). Interventions: Testis volumes were measured using an orchiometer. Semen analysis was performed according to standard procedures, and serum hormone levels were determined using a radioimmunoassay. Main Outcome Measure(s): Testis volumes, semen quality, and hormonal parameters in adolescents with and without a varicocele were compared. Results: In group 1 (n = 21), the mean left testis volume (24.5 mL; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 22.8 to 26.2) was significantly (P < 0.05) different from group 2 (n = 15) (20.9 mL; 95% CI: 18.5 to 23.4) and group 3 (n = 52) (20.7 mL; 95% CI: 19.2 to 22.2) (P < 0.01) adolescents. In adolescents with a pronounced varicocele-associated left testicular growth failure, the total sperm number was reduced. However, sperm concentration, motility, and morphology were not altered. Luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, testosterone, and prolactine levels were all within the normal ranges in the three groups. Conclusions: Left testicular growth failure in adolescents with a varicocele is only associated with a decrease in total sperm number.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0026015224&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/S0015-0282(16)54607-X
DO - 10.1016/S0015-0282(16)54607-X
M3 - Article
C2 - 1915950
AN - SCOPUS:0026015224
SN - 0015-0282
VL - 56
SP - 731
EP - 736
JO - Fertility and Sterility
JF - Fertility and Sterility
IS - 4
ER -