Felipe Dieament, Claudia G Petersen, Vanessa Comar, Ana L Mauri, Mariana Mattila, Laura D Vagnini, Adriana Renzi, Bruna Petersen, Camila Zamara, Joao Batista A Oliveira, Ricardo L R Baruffi, José Gonçalves Franco Jr
JBRA Assist. Reprod. 2017; 21 (4):295-301
Received January 19, 2017
Accepted July 22, 2017
Abstract
Objective: To evaluate the effects of varicocele on the conventional semen parameters: sperm DNA fragmentation, chromatin packaging, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and sperm apoptosis.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with semen samples from 2,399 men from couples who attended an infertility clinic. A total of 16.3% (391/2399) of the men were diagnosed with varicocele by a urologist.
Results: Regression analysis revealed that the percentages of sperm presenting with DNA fragmentation, abnormal chromatin packaging, and abnormal MMP were significantly increased in individuals with varicocele compared to men without varicocele. Apoptosis was not influenced by varicocele. Conventional semen parameters were significantly worse in individuals with the pathology. On the other hand, in men with varicocele, Spearman’s correlation demonstrated that early apoptosis and abnormal MMP showed a positive and significant correlation with sperm DNA fragmentation.
Conclusion: Men with varicocele had worse conventional semen parameters, including increased levels of sperm DNA fragmentation, inactive mitochondria, and abnormal chromatin packaging. These alterations are possible causes of infertility in individuals with varicocele.
