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Asian J Androl 2019 Apr 16. Epub 2019 Apr 16.

American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA.

Seminal plasma is a rich source of proteins and serves as an ideal sample for proteomic analysis of male infertility. In varicocele-associated infertility, the contributory role of seminal plasma proteins specific to unilateral and bilateral varicocele is not clear. Furthermore, there is a lack of specific protein biomarker to differentiate bilateral from unilateral varicocele. Read More

Andrologia 2019 Apr 17:e13293. Epub 2019 Apr 17.

Department of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, Hitit University, Çorum, Turkey.

In the present study, we compared the retroperitoneal high ligation with subinguinal varicocelectomy on the treatment of painful varicocele. A total of 90 patients who underwent retroperitoneal high ligation (n = 45) and subinguinal varicocelectomy (n = 45) for painful varicocele were included in this prospective study. Varicocele in all patients was diagnosed with by physical examination and coloured Doppler ultrasonography. Read More

Chin Med J (Engl) 2019 Apr 10. Epub 2019 Apr 10.

Department of Urology, Tangdu Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710038, China.

Background: This study was designed to evaluate the clinical and radiographic outcomes of patients with nutcracker syndrome (NCS) who were treated with three-dimensional printing (3DP) extravascular titanium stents (EVTSs). The 3DP EVTS was expected to release the hypertension of the left renal vein (LRV) produced by its compression between the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) and the aorta without causing any complications.

Method: The pre-operative kidney model of each patient was printed out to enable surgical planning. Read More

Urol Int 2019 Apr 16:1-7. Epub 2019 Apr 16.

Department of Pediatric Surgery, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland.

Aim: The aim of the study was an assessment of the effects of varicocele on testis parenchyma and microcirculation with the use of the dynamic tissue perfusion measurements.

Methods: Color Doppler sonographic dynamic testis parenchyma perfusion measurements were performed with Pixel-Flux software in 30 children with left testis varicocele. The right testes without varicocele comprised the control group. Read More

Panminerva Med 2019 Jun;61(2):152-163

American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Urology, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA -

Varicoceles exert deleterious effect on testicular function. The condition has been associated with male infertility, testicular hypotrophy and pain. These comprises the common indications for varicocele repair currently. Read More

Panminerva Med 2019 Jun;61(2):118-127

ANDROFERT Andrology and Human Reproduction Clinic, Referral Center for Male Reproduction, Campinas, Brazil.

Sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) is an advanced test of sperm function that is utilized during male fertility evaluation. Recently, a guideline was published highlighting the detrimental impact of SDF on sperm function identifying practice-based clinical indications for SDF testing. This review illustrates the commonly utilized SDF measurement techniques and explores the current evidence behind their utility in clinical practice. Read More

Panminerva Med 2019 Jun;61(2):108-117

American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Urology, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA -

Oxidative stress is considered a major etiology for male infertility, more specifically idiopathic infertility. The causes of seminal oxidative stress can be intrinsic, such as varicocele or due to the presence of active leukocytes and immature germ cells. Reported external causes are smoking, alcohol or exposure to environmental toxins. Read More

Biomed Res Int 2019 7;2019:7934328. Epub 2019 Mar 7.

Department of Physiology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan.

Varicocele, a vascular event, is associated with infertility due to testicular damage that causes abnormal spermatogenesis in males. The goal of this study is to ascertain the diagnostic significance of scrotal color Doppler ultrasonography (CDUS) by measuring peak systolic value (PSV) and resistive index (RI) of the arteries supplying blood to the testis and their association with semen quality attributes. Sixty prospective patients (age: 20-50 years) undergoing microsurgical varicocelectomy at a teaching hospital were included in the study. Read More

Urologia 2019 Apr 14:391560319842955. Epub 2019 Apr 14.

1 Department of Urology, Ospedale Policlinico San Martino - Istituto di Ricerca e Cura a Carattere Scientifico per l'Oncologia, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.

Objective: To report the results of a survey supported by the Italian Andrological Association (ASS.A.I. Read More

Andrologia 2019 Apr 14:e13286. Epub 2019 Apr 14.

Department of Health Science, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.

Varicocele is a rather common andrological condition in adolescents, which can adversely affect testicular growth and seminal parameters, leading to infertility in about 20% of adults. The aim of this study was to investigate if treating varicocele before the age of 18 is a beneficial option to improve testicular hypotrophy and seminal parameters and if minimally invasive techniques could be an appropriate treatment choice for adolescent varicocele associated with spermatic vein reflux. A percutaneous scleroembolization was performed in sixty-four consecutive young patients (13-19 years old) with left varicocele, preceded by a fluoroscopy. Read More

Andrology 2019 Apr 10. Epub 2019 Apr 10.

Department of Andrology and Sexual Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China.

Background: The correlation between the increased mean platelet volume and varicocele is controversial.

Objectives: We designed this research to demonstrate the correlation relationship between varicocele and mean platelet volume by studying the changes of mean platelet volume in patients with varicocele before and after operation.

Materials And Methods: A total of 317 patients with left unilateral varicocele underwent operation, and 293 healthy adult males were enrolled in the study. Read More

J Endocrinol Invest 2019 Apr 6. Epub 2019 Apr 6.

Andrology Unit, Department of Life, Health and Environment Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Via Vetoio, 67100, L'Aquila, Italy.

Purpose: Varicocele repair (VR) is proposed to improve fertility in subfertile couples with a poor semen quality. We explored whether the disappearance of a left continuous spermatic venous reflux (SVR) at scrotal colour-Doppler ultrasound (CDUS), an objective evidence for a VR, is predictive for improved fertility outcome in subfertile couples.

Methods: VR was performed by left internal spermatic vein sclero-embolisation in 88 males seeking a consultation for subfertility. Read More

Andrologia 2019 Apr 5:e13275. Epub 2019 Apr 5.

Department of Infertility and Sexual Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.

The latest perspective indicates that apoptotic dysregulation is an important mechanism in male infertility induced by varicocele. To elucidate the molecular mechanism of apoptosis caused by varicocele, we used proteomics (2D-MALDI-TOF MS) to identify the altered proteins in the testes of experimental varicocele rats compared with the control. Here, 21 significantly different protein spots were detected by proteomics technology. Read More

Tissue Cell 2019 Apr 20;57:70-77. Epub 2019 Feb 20.

Animal Sciences Research Institute (ASRI) of Jihad-e-Agriculture Ministry, Iran.

Varicocele is one of the most prevalent causes of infertility. It causes induction of oxidative stress, increases lipid peroxidation in the testis and disrupts spermatogenesis cycle. The aim of the study was to investigate the possible protective effects of royal jelly against varicocele induced oxidative stress, biochemical and histological alterations in the experimental varicocele model in rat. Read More

Arch Ital Urol Androl 2019 Mar 29;91(1):53-54. Epub 2019 Mar 29.

Urology, Hospital de Base de São José do Rio Preto/Famerp/Funfarme.

Varicocele is a dilation of the pampiniform venous plexus, mainly affecting the left side of the scrotum. In rare cases, however, the right side is affected. When this occurs, a retroperitoneal disease should be suspected, such as right-sided renal neoplasm. Read More

World J Mens Health 2019 Mar 15. Epub 2019 Mar 15.

American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA.

Purpose: Seminal plasma provides a nutritive and protective milieu for spermatozoa. It contains factors/proteins required for sperm maturation, hyperactivation, capacitation and acrosome reaction. Alteration in the expression levels of seminal plasma proteins affect the fertilization process. Read More

J Urol 2019 Mar 29:10109701JU000055772486358a7. Epub 2019 Mar 29.

Urology 2019 Mar 25. Epub 2019 Mar 25.

Department of Urology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL. Electronic address:

Varicocele is a common cause of impaired semen parameters in men with infertility. Here, we investigated genetic variants as possible causes of varicocele with impaired semen parameters using whole-exome sequencing (WES) in a family with 2 brothers with severe oligospermia, 1 unaffected brother, father, and the mother. Results showed a premature stop codon alteration on Chromosome X (37028866 CT) in the gene FAM47C. Read More

Hum Fertil (Camb) 2019 Mar 23:1-15. Epub 2019 Mar 23.

c Department of Men's Health and Andrology , Imperial College Healthcare , London , UK.

Male infertility is a major health burden worldwide. In the United Kingdom, the diagnostic and treatment pathway for male factor fertility is fragmented with wide variance in management and funding protocols. There is now a focus on potential overtreatment of couples with IVF and failure to treat male factors before considering assisted reproductive technology (ART). Read More

Urologia 2019 Feb 28;86(1):23-26. Epub 2018 Mar 28.

2 Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Objective:: Varicocele is the most commonly curable cause of infertility in men. Varicocele is found in 15% of the total male population, 35% of men with primary infertility, and 75%-81% of men with secondary infertility. Generally, patients seek microscopic surgery via surfing the Internet, which is not an available option in all medical centers. Read More

J Urol 2019 Mar 19:101097JU0000000000000235. Epub 2019 Mar 19.

Urology 2019 Mar 16. Epub 2019 Mar 16.

Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Electronic address:

Objective: To examine the implications of varicoceles and nutcracker phenomenon (NcP) in a large cohort of adolescent patients. Varicoceles are common in adolescent males, generating concerns regarding etiology and management. At our institution, Doppler ultrasound (US) of the renal vessels is routinely obtained with the goal of assessing for an associated nutcracker phenomenon. Read More

Sci Rep 2019 Mar 13;9(1):4336. Epub 2019 Mar 13.

Department of Reproductive Biotechnology, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Biotechnology, ACECR, Isfahan, Iran.

Varicocele, defined as enlarged varicose veins in the scrotum, is the most common identifiable cause of male infertility. There are significant correlations between oxidative stress and varicocele-related infertility due to testicular hyperthermia, which can result in low sperm function. In addition, recent excessive oxidative stress can affect sperm telomere length and integrity of sperm DNA. Read More

Res Rep Urol 2019 13;11:21-27. Epub 2019 Feb 13.

Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia,

Purpose: To evaluate the prevalence and awareness about symptoms, and complications of varicocele among athletes (bodybuilding and aerobics exercises) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Patients And Methods: A cross-sectional study of male athletes aged between 18 and 48 years old was carried out in multiple branches of fitness centers over a period of 13 months in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A total of 382 face-to-face interviews using a predesigned questionnaire were conducted to identify the levels of knowledge, attitude, and practice. Read More

Andrology 2019 May 10;7(3):273-280. Epub 2019 Mar 10.

Division of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia.

Background: Controversial speculation suggestions that dietary intake may affect semen quality and testicular function, however, there are limited comprehensive studies observing dietary patterns.

Objective: To study associations between major dietary patterns and markers of testicular function in adulthood.

Material And Methods: Observational cross-sectional study of two hundred and ninety men with an average age of 20 years, from the Western Australian Pregnancy Cohort (Raine) Study. Read More

J Chin Med Assoc 2019 Feb;82(2):115-119

Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.

Background: Varicocele is believed to be a dilated vein of the pampiniform plexus along the spermatic cord. Surgical treatment should be considered in men with a symptomatic varicocele. To date, microsurgical varicocelectomy is the most effective method among various varicocelectomy techniques, according to the current evidence. Read More

Phlebology 2019 Mar 5:268355519834426. Epub 2019 Mar 5.

1 Department of Urology, Medical Faculty, Yuzuncu Yil University, Van, Turkey.

Background: The study investigated the association between varicocele, lower extremity venous insufficiency and hemorrhoidal disease.

Methods: The study included 62 patients with varicocele and 60 voluntary subjects with no varicocele. Patients who were diagnosed as having varicocele on physical examination and Doppler ultrasonography were included in the study group. Read More

Fertil Steril 2019 Mar;111(3):420-426

Weill Cornell Medicine, Department of Urology, New York, New York. Electronic address:

Infertility due to nonobstructive azoospermia is treatable with the use of testicular sperm extraction and IVF. The optimal approach for sperm retrieval is microdissection testicular sperm extraction (mTESE). This systematic review summarizes and evaluates the literature pertaining to patient optimization before mTESE, mTESE technique, and post-mTESE testicular tissue processing. Read More

Fertil Steril 2019 Mar;111(3):415-419

University of Illinois, Chicago, Illinois.

The impact of clinical varicoceles on semen parameters and male infertility has long been established. In the era of assisted reproduction, clinical discussion has questioned the role of varicocelectomy, offering the potential to bypass, rather than treat, varicocele-associated male infertility. However, current literature supports improved semen parameters and reproductive outcomes following repair. Read More

Turk J Urol 2019 Feb 20. Epub 2019 Feb 20.

Department of Urology, Ege University School of Medicine, İzmir, Turkey.

Objective: There is no clear consensus on which patients and how many of microscopic testicular sperm extraction (mTESE) procedures will be successful. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the sperm retrieval rates and factors affecting these rates in men who underwent repeat mTESEs.

Material And Methods: A total of 346 patients who underwent mTESE for sperm retrieval were included in the study. Read More

Andrologia 2019 Feb 26:e13258. Epub 2019 Feb 26.

Urology Department, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar.

Seminal oxidative stress (OS) is a major cause of male factor infertility and can be measured as oxidation-reduction potential (ORP). Studies showed significant negative relationships of ORP with sperm count, motility or DNA integrity. Since these parameters are also positively or negatively associated with reproductive hormones follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinising hormone (LH), testosterone, testicular volume and the occurrence of varicocele, it is important to understand the mechanistic relationship between ORP and hormonal and/or testicular parameters. Read More

Urol J 2019 Feb 24. Epub 2019 Feb 24.

Clinical Research Development Center, Kowsar Hospital, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran.

Purpose: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of antioxidants including Vitamin E-Selenium-Folic acid (Vit E -Se- FA) on semen parameters following varicocelectomy (VCT).

Materials And Methods: Sixty from 64 infertile male patients diagnosed with varicocele (VC) and underwent sub-inguinal VCT were included in the study. Following sub-inguinal VCT, the patients were randomized into two groups: 30 receiving Vit E-Se-FA supplementation for six months, and 30 as the control group with no treatment. Read More

AJR Am J Roentgenol 2019 Apr 19;212(4):802-807. Epub 2019 Feb 19.

1 Department of Radiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, E6-230, Dallas, TX 75390-9316.

Objective: Unilateral left varicoceles are common and considered benign. Unilateral right varicoceles are reportedly associated with a pathologic process, namely malignancy affecting the retroperitoneum, for which further imaging is often recommended. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that this correlation between unilateral right varicocele and malignancy may be weaker than once suggested, particularly in the absence of other clinical signs of malignancy. Read More

J Pediatr Urol 2019 Jan 25. Epub 2019 Jan 25.

Department of Pediatric Surgery Medical University of Lublin, Poland.

Introduction: Shear wave elastography is an ultrasound technique for non-invasive quantification of tissue stiffness. It was used in assessing testis elasticity in some scrotal abnormalities, such as undescended pediatric testes or adult varicocele testes. In this study, its usefulness in adolescent patients with varicocele was examined. Read More

Reprod Fertil Dev 2019 Feb 12. Epub 2019 Feb 12.

Cold-inducible RNA-binding protein (CIRBP) is reduced by scrotal hyperthermia in cryptorchidism, varicocoele and heat treatment, but there is no direct evidence clarifying the relationship between CIRBP and spermatogenesis. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of CIRBP in GC2-spd cells (a mouse spermatocyte cell line) before and after heat treatment, and to determine the effects of the downregulation or overexpression of CIRBP on spermatocyte cell proliferation and apoptosis. GC2-spd cells overexpressing CIRBP and GC2-spd cells in CIRBP was knocked down were constructed to investigate the function of CIRBP in cell proliferation and apoptosis using a cell counting kit-8 and flow cytometry respectively. Read More

Food Chem Toxicol 2019 Mar 7;125:562-565. Epub 2019 Feb 7.

Unit of Reproductive Endocrinology, 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece.

Background: Bisphenol A (BPA) has been associated with male reproductive dysfunction. However, few studies have assessed BPA according to the cause of male infertility.

Aim: To investigate serum BPA concentrations in infertile men according to infertility cause. Read More

Ultrasound Q 2019 Feb 4. Epub 2019 Feb 4.

Department of Radiology, University of Health Sciences, Konya Training and Research Hospital.

We aimed to determine histological damage in patients with varicocele by comparing the elasticity of their affected testes with that of their normal contralateral testes as well as normal testes of control subjects without varicocele using shear wave elastography (SWE). In total, 48 patients with varicocele (96 testes) and 52 control subjects (104 testes) were included in this study. Shear wave elastography values were measured in the longitudinal plane using an oval region of interest that covered as much of the testicular contours as possible. Read More

Fertil Steril 2019 Mar 2;111(3):413-414. Epub 2019 Feb 2.

Male Reproductive Medicine and Surgery, Department of Urology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois. Electronic address:

Surgical treatments offer effective solutions for many couples experiencing male factor infertility. This Views and Reviews collection of articles offers a state-of-the-art overview of the surgical procedures commonly used to treat impaired male reproductive health. Read More

Andrologia 2019 Feb 3:e13244. Epub 2019 Feb 3.

Department of Urology, Tianjin Institute of Urology, The Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China.

To evaluate the value of seminal plasma miR-210-3p as a novel and non-invasive biomarker for screening dyszoospermia caused by varicocele. Semen samples from patients with varicocele and healthy males were collected for semen analysis and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Cox univariate and multivariate analysis and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis were used to assess the relationship between the level of seminal plasma miR-210-3p and impaired spermatogenic function. Read More

J Proteomics 2019 Mar 30;196:22-32. Epub 2019 Jan 30.

Department of Surgery, Division of Urology, Human Reproduction Section, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. Electronic address:

Varicocelectomy is associated to improved semen quality and sperm functional quality, but individual response is highly variable. Thus, a prospective study was performed including 25 men who collected a semen sample before and 12 months after subinguinal microsurgical varicocelectomy. Semen analysis, sperm functional analysis, and seminal plasma proteomic analysis was performed before and 12 months after varicocelectomy, and according to improvement or not of semen quality (positive and negative outcome). Read More

BMC Urol 2019 Jan 31;19(1):14. Epub 2019 Jan 31.

Department of Urology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX, Utrecht, The Netherlands.

Background: An acute scrotal hematoma, secondary to a spontaneous rupture of a varicocele is still a rare presentation in daily practice. However, multiple case reports have been reported. Sudden increase in abdominal pressure, resulting to an increased venous pressure can lead to a rupture of the varicocele. Read More

Andrologia 2019 May 28;51(4):e13234. Epub 2019 Jan 28.

Department of Urology, Ondokuz Mayıs University, Samsun, Turkey.

Impacts of a subinguinal microsurgical varicocelectomy on the sperm parameters and fertility rates were investigated in three different ages according to their age at the time of the varicocelectomy: Group 1 was ≤20 years old, Group 2 was 21-30 years old, and Group 3 was ≥31 years old. The patients were also classified both preoperatively and post-operatively according to the total motile sperm count (TMSC) into the following categories: invitro fertilisation, intrauterine insemination and naturally fertile. The proportion of patients who upgraded to a higher TMSC category level was calculated, and natural fertility rates were recorded. Read More

J Reprod Dev 2019 Apr 26;65(2):139-146. Epub 2019 Jan 26.

Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8577, Japan.

Recently, gradual decline in human sperm production has become a serious worldwide concern because it leads to increased rates of infertility. Endocrine disrupters, lifestyle changes, and varicocele, all of which elevate testicular temperature, are thought to be the main causes of this decline. The present study aimed to determine whether the dietary phytochemicals Angelica keiskei (Ashitaba) powder (57. Read More

J Laparoendosc Adv Surg Tech A 2019 Apr 24;29(4):564-567. Epub 2019 Jan 24.

Pediatric Surgery Unit, "Federico II" University of Naples, Naples, Italy.

Background: Laparoscopic Palomo varicocelectomy is one the most common approaches adopted to treat pediatric varicocele, but postoperative hydrocele still remains a potential problem with this procedure. This study aimed to evaluate the outcome of a new technique of lymphography using indocyanine green (ICG)-enhanced fluorescence to perform lymphatic sparing laparoscopic Palomo varicocelectomy.

Patients And Methods: The records of 25 patients who underwent laparoscopic left varicocelectomy in our unit from March 2017 to March 2018 were retrospectively evaluated. Read More

Turk J Urol 2018 Sep 12;45(1):73-75. Epub 2018 Sep 12.

Urology Research Center, Razi Hospital, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Guilan, Iran.

Varicocele represents the main cause of male infertility. Right-sided varicocele is rare and can be due to renal malignancy or a venous abnormality. The most common anomaly of the inferior vena cava (IVC) is interruption of IVC with azygos continuation, which is recognized as an uncommon congenital anomaly. Read More

Am J Transl Res 2018 15;10(12):4119-4129. Epub 2018 Dec 15.

Department of Urology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University Wuhan 430060, China.

Varicocele (VC) is a common cause of male infertility. An increasing number of studies have confirmed that chronic hypoxia plays an important role in male infertility caused by VC. Our previous study suggested that autophagy may have a crucial function in VC. Read More

J Med Ultrasound 2018 Oct-Dec;26(4):224-225. Epub 2018 May 7.

Department of Radiology, Malabar Medical College, Kozhikode, Kerala, India.

Urology 2019 Apr 16;126:110-115. Epub 2019 Jan 16.

Department of Medical Record, Tianjin Third Central Hospital, Tianjin, People's Republic of China.

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility and safety of a new laparoscopic technique for resection of a fibrous ring and extravascular stent implantation in patients with nutcracker syndrome (NCS).

Material And Methods: We retrospectively reviewed data of 5 patients diagnosed with NCS between March 2010 and February 2016. The mean age of the patients (4 male and 1 female) was 34 years (range, 28-40 years). Read More

Int J Impot Res 2019 Jan 18. Epub 2019 Jan 18.

Department of Urology, Ege University School of Medicine, İzmir, Turkey.

In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of oral antioxidant treatment on semen parameters and pregnancy rates in infertile men who underwent varicocelectomy. The study was conducted between January 2016 and January 2018. Subinguinal microscopic varicocelectomy was performed in 90 patients who were referred for infertility and diagnosed with clinical varicocele. Read More

J Urol 2019 04;201(4):651-652