VARICOCELECTOMY IMPROVES SPERM STRICT MORPHOLOGY AND MOTILITY

Abstract

PURPOSE: We prospectively examined the effect of varicocelectomy on standard semen parameters and Kruger strict morphology, including site of specific sperm defect. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Kruger strict morphology and routine semen analysis were performed in a blinded fashion before and a minimum of 4 months after varicocelectomy in 61 subfertile men with a primary diagnosis of varicocele. RESULTS: Sperm motility, total number of motile sperm, and percentage and total number of sperm with normal strict morphology were significantly increased after varicocele repair. Average density was also increased, while volume and forward progression were unchanged. The percentage of normal head strict morphology was significantly improved, whereas tail and neck morphology did not reflect similar changes. CONCLUSIONS: Varicocele repair in subfertile men improves Kruger strict morphology. In addition, motility and total motile sperm are significantly improved after repair. Since the stoichiometry of the sperm head is crucial to egg and sperm interaction, this decrease in head defects may be partially responsible for the increase in pregnancy rates after varicocele repair.