Pre- and Post-operative Assessment of Semen and Hormone Status in Patients with Varicocele

Jang, Sang Woong; Kim, Myung Ki; Park, Jong Kwan

Abstract

PURPOSE
We evaluated the result of varicocelectomy on semen and hormone status to assess the effect of the operation.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Between March 2001 and January 2004, 63 men with varicocele underwent microsurgical inguinal varicocelectomy. Based on their chief complaint, they were classified into two groups: scrotal pain group (n=17) and infertility group(n=14). They were checked by semen analysis and hormone status(LH, FSH, testosterone) and GnRH stimulation test before the operation and 3 months after the operation.
RESULTS
The mean ages of the pain and infertility groups were 24.8+/-5.2 years and 32.6+/-2.9 years, respectively. The results of postoperative semen analyses were improved in both groups and in all items. In the pain group, postoperative LH, FSH, and testosterone levels were increased, and the ratio of changes of FSH and testosterone after GnRH stimulation were decreased significantly after operation. In the infertility group, post-operative hormone levels were increased, and the ratio of changes of hormone level after GnRH stimulation were decreased, but, the results were not statistically significant.
CONCLUSIONS
The results of semen analyses were improved significantly after varicocelectomy. Post-operative hormone levels were increased, and the ratio of changes of hormone level after GnRH stimulation were decreased. We think that the pre- and post-operative semen analyses, hormone level, and GnRH stimulation test could be useful in assessing the success of varicocelectomy.