Testicular Biopsies in 36 Cases of Varicocele

Lee, Sun Ho; Kim, Sae Chul

Abstract

We have performed bilateral testicular biopsies on 36 patients with varicocele and discussed the relation between histologic findings and semenogram. The results obtained in the study are as follows. 1. The volume of the semen increased more than 4.0 ml in our series by 19. 5%, and decreased below 1.5ml by 8.3%. The sperm count, motility and morphology were seen to depend on the size of varicocele 2. Testicular histology showed germinal cell hypoplasia and premature sloughing of immature cells into the lumen of the tubules, which seems to be impaired spermatogenesis. These cells are similar to those seen in the ejaculate, including tapering forms and spermatids. In most of the cases the tubular thickening was found in variable degree, and this is considered as a possible prognostic factor. Our study showed on preferential influence on testicular histology in relation to right or left side, except a few cases. The size of varicocele is no concerned with the histologic change of the testicle. 3. In comparing the histologic change of the left testicle with the semenogram, the sperm morphology was thought to be correlated with the histologic change but the count and motility were not so.