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Pathophysiology of Clinical Varicoceles in Infertile Men
Author(s) -
Cockett Abraham T. K.,
Takihara Hiroshi,
Iwamura Masatsugu,
Koshiba Ken
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
international journal of urology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.172
H-Index - 67
eISSN - 1442-2042
pISSN - 0919-8172
DOI - 10.1111/j.1442-2042.1998.tb00256.x
Subject(s) - varicocele , medicine , fertility , sperm , sperm motility , motility , pathophysiology , urology , serotonin , andrology , gynecology , infertility , pregnancy , biology , population , genetics , receptor , environmental health
In infertile men, clinical varicoceles most often occur bilaterally. In our experience with these patients, both testicles are smaller than normal. We find more than 25% to 35% immature and tapered sperm in in the ejaculum of these men, and the motility of the sperm is usually low. We have found serotonin in the plasma of the varicoceles, and believe this biogenic amine is responsible for the poor sperm motility. We now agree that a subset of neuroendocrine cells in the prostate secrete serotonin. Bilateral varicocele surgery can improve the patient's fertility potential, and we advocate surgical treatment.