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Am J Dent Sci 1893 Jul;27(3):97-105

Professor of Surgery at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York; Visiting Surgeon to Rossevelt Hospital, etc.

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 Feb 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 Feb 2. 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 Jan 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 Jan 28: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 Jan 26. 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 Jan 24. 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 Jan 16. 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 Jan 15. Epub 2019 Jan 15.

Int J Reprod Biomed (Yazd) 2018 Oct;16(10):649-652

Shiraz Nephro-Urology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Khalili Street, Shiraz, Iran.

Background: Varicocele is the collection of dilated veins of pampiniform plexus which is the most common cause of infertility occurred in 35-40% of infertile men. Despite all the diagnostic tools exist for varicocele diagnosis; still, a physical examination is the first step.

Objective: This study was done to determine the inter-observer agreement on varicoceles diagnosis. Read More

Case Rep Urol 2018 16;2018:6919387. Epub 2018 Dec 16.

Department of Urology, 424 General Military Hospital of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.

Transverse testicular ectopia (TTE) with fused vas deferens is an extremely rare clinical entity. Herein, we present a case of a 19-year-old patient with persistent left testicular pain lasting for a week. Clinical examination revealed an empty right hemiscrotum, a normal left-sided descended testis, and in close proximity a mass-like structure resembling testicular parenchyma. Read More

Case Rep Urol 2018 10;2018:4068174. Epub 2018 Dec 10.

Department of Urology, University Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Greece.

Varicocele is characterized by the dilatation of the veins of the spermatic cord. Its prevalence in general male population is 15% while in the infertile population the prevalence rises up to 25%. The varicocele is considered an etiological factor for male infertility. Read More

Aging Male 2019 Jan 11:1-6. Epub 2019 Jan 11.

c Department of Community Medicine , Assiut University , Assiut , Egypt.

Background And Aim: Varicocele is one of the most common causes of male infertility. Leptin that has a role in sperm motility may have a role of varicocele. We aimed to study the effect of varicocelectomy on the serum and seminal leptin in patients with asthenozoospermia and the correlation between leptin levels, sperm parameters and varicocele grade. Read More

Andrology 2019 Jan 7. Epub 2019 Jan 7.

Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt.

Background: There is wide agreement nowadays that a clinical varicocoele should be ligated to treat male factor infertility. However, the significance of testicular artery preservation in patients with severe oligozoospermia has not been addressed before.

Objectives: To assess the outcome of varicocelectomy in infertile men with severe oligozoospermia and clinical varicocoeles and to compare internal spermatic artery preservation vs. Read More

Asian J Androl 2018 Dec 25. Epub 2018 Dec 25.

Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome 00161, Italy.

Varicocele is a common finding in men. Varicocele correction has been advocated for young patients with testicular hypotrophy, but there is a lack of morphofunctional follow-up data. We assessed whether percutaneous treatment of left varicocele is associated with testicular "catch-up growth" in the following 12 months by retrospectively reviewing data from an electronic database of 10 656 patients followed up in our clinic between 2006 and 2016. Read More

Scand J Urol 2019 Jan 3:1-5. Epub 2019 Jan 3.

a Department of Urology , University of Michigan , Ann Arbor , MI , USA.

Objective: In 2010 W.H.O. Read More

Syst Biol Reprod Med 2019 Jan 2:1-10. Epub 2019 Jan 2.

a Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School , University of São Paulo , Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo , Brazil.

Varicocele pathophysiology is related to increased oxidative stress, which might result in loss sperm DNA integrity as well as in genomic instability. Sperm telomere shortening and loss of global DNA methylation are the main features of genomic instability, leading to cell senescence and death, whereas sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) characterizes the loss of chromatin integrity. We hypothesize that sperm genomic stability and DNA integrity is reduced in infertile men with moderate and large-sized varicoceles, thus being candidate markers of sperm quality in varicocele-related infertility. Read More

Radiol Med 2019 Jan 1. Epub 2019 Jan 1.

Department of Radiology and Radiotherapy, Policlinico Universitario Gaspare Rodolico, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Policlinico Vittorio Emanuele, via Santa Sofia n.29, 95100, Catania, Italy.

Introduction: Varicocele is a relatively complex pathology that affects the pampiniform plexus of veins in the spermatic cord. Modern treatment involves both urological/surgical and interventional procedures. Our objective is to compare outcomes of conventional laparoscopic ligation (LL) and occluding balloon embolization (OBE) a percutaneous interventional procedure. Read More

Hum Reprod 2018 Dec 21. Epub 2018 Dec 21.

Medical School, UWA, Royal Perth Hospital, Western Australia, Australia.

Study Question: Are early signs of metabolic disorder in late adolescence associated with features of impaired testicular function many years before the majority seek parenthood?

Summary Answer: Adolescents with features of metabolic disorder at 17 years, or insulin resistance (IR) at 20 years of age, show impaired testicular function and altered hormone levels compared to those without metabolic disorder.

What Is Known Already: Controversial evidence suggests a recent decline in sperm production potentially linked to environmental influences, but its cause remains unclear. Concomitant increases in obesity and diabetes suggest that lifestyle factors may contribute to this decline in testicular function. Read More

Urologiia 2018 Dec(5):114-121

V.I. Kulakov Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology, Moscow, Russia.

Varicocele-related infertility is traditionally considered an indication for surgery. At the same time in some specific clinical settings, especially with subclinical varicocele, conservative therapy using hormonal or antioxidant drugs is also possible. The potential role of drug therapy in this patient category remains controversial. Read More

Pan Afr Med J 2018 10;30:204. Epub 2018 Jul 10.

Assisted Reproductive Technology Unit of the Reproductive Health Centre, University Hospital Ibn Sina, Rabat, Morocco.

The causes of infertility vary widely and differ between regions and within countries. There is no report on this subject in Morocco. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the causes of infertility in Moroccan infertile couples and to compare the findings with data from the various published studies. Read More

Andrologia 2018 Dec;50(11):e13126

American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio.

Oxidative stress (OS), defined as an overabundance of reactive oxygen species (ROS) or a deficiency of antioxidants, has been linked to sperm damage and male infertility. There are many sources of OS and inflammation including varicocele, tobacco usage, alcohol, obesity/metabolic syndrome, leukocytospermia, sexually transmitted disease (i.e. Read More

Andrologia 2018 Dec 16:e13210. Epub 2018 Dec 16.

Department of Clinical Radiology, Medical School, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece.

A noninvasive imaging technique providing information about testicular dysfunction in testes with varicocele would be useful. The aim is to measure the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and fractional anisotropy (FA) in testes of infertile men with varicocele and to assess interobserver agreement. Sixteen infertile men with varicocele and 14 age-matched controls underwent 1. Read More

Clin Lab 2018 Oct;64(11)

Zhonghua Yi Xue Za Zhi 2018 Dec;98(46):3737-3740

Department of Urology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200080, China.

To discuss the efficacy and safety of subinguinal microsurgical varicocelectomy in the treatment of non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) with varicocele. The clinical data of 141 patients with NOA and varicocele who underwent subinguinal microsurgical varicocelectomy from March 2015 to June 2017 in Shanghai General Hospital was collected.One hundred and ten patients suffered from varicocele on the left side, 1 on the right side, and the rest (30 cases) were bilateral varicocele. Read More

Biomed Res Int 2018 13;2018:3591086. Epub 2018 Nov 13.

Faculty of Biosciences and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy.

The relationship between varicocele and fertility has always been a matter of debate because of the absence of predictive clinical indicators or molecular markers able to define the severity of this disease. Even though accumulated evidence demonstrated that the endocannabinoid system (ECS) plays a central role in male reproductive biology, particularly in the testicular compartment, to date no data point to a role for ECS in the etiopathogenesis of varicocele. Therefore, the present research has been designed to investigate the relationship between testicular ECS gene expression and fertility, using a validated animal model of experimental varicocele (VAR), taking advantage of traditional statistical approaches and artificial neural network (ANN). Read More

Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol 2019 Mar 5;42(3):396-404. Epub 2018 Dec 5.

Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia 78, 95123, Catania, Italy.

Introduction: Varicocele is often associated with impaired sperm parameters. Different procedures have been developed for varicocele treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of varicocele treatment on conventional sperm parameters. Read More

Transl Androl Urol 2018 Dec;7(6):920-925

Smith Institute for Urology, Northwell Health, New Hyde Park, NY, USA.

Background: The prevalence of varicoceles is estimated to be 15% in the general population but is nearly 35% among men with primary infertility and increases by 10% with each decade of life. Studies among adults infer a higher rate of varicoceles among first-degree relatives of patients with varicoceles. However, these studies do not consider the presence of varicoceles, or other venous abnormalities, at the time of desired paternity in first-degree relatives of adolescent patients. Read More

Lupus 2018 Dec 3:961203318815764. Epub 2018 Dec 3.

1 Discipline of Urology, Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP, Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Objective: To evaluate sperm DNA fragmentation analysis in non-azoospermic male systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients.

Methods: Twenty-eight consecutive male SLE patients (American College of Rheumatology criteria) and 34 healthy controls were evaluated for demographic/exposures data, urological evaluation, hormone profile and sperm analysis (including sperm DNA fragmentation). Clinical features, disease activity/damage scores and treatment were also evaluated. Read More

J Pediatr Surg 2019 Jan 5;54(1):177-183. Epub 2018 Oct 5.

Department of Pediatric Surgery, University Medicine of the Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany. Electronic address:

Background/purpose: Inguinal hernia repair and orchidopexy are among the most common operations in boys. The impact on future fertility has not been conclusively defined. This study evaluates sperm quality after previous inguinal surgery. Read More

Rev Int Androl 2018 Nov 24. Epub 2018 Nov 24.

Research and Clinical Center for Infertility, Yazd Reproductive Sciences Institute, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran. Electronic address:

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate polymorphisms of sperm protamine genes and their effects on the result of CMA3 staining in varicocele men.

Material And Methods: In a case control study, 128 patients with male infertility due to varicocele and 128 controls were recruited. Polymorphisms of PRM1 and PRM2 genes in extracted DNA samples were assessed by PCR-SSCP and sequencing. Read More

Andrologia 2019 Mar 26;51(2):e13189. Epub 2018 Nov 26.

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

This study aimed to compare main molecular markers of hypoxia (HIF1-α and P53) and inflammation (TLR-2, TLR-4 and TNF-α) pathways between infertile men with varicocele and fertile individuals. Sperm parameters such as sperm concentration, motility and morphology were assessed according to World Health Organization (Laboratory manual for the examination and processing of human semen. Geneva, Switzerland, 2010) guideline in 20 infertile men with grade II or III varicocele, and 20 fertile men candidate of family balancing. Read More

Urol J 2018 Nov 21. Epub 2018 Nov 21.

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

Purpose: Oxidative stress (OS) plays a central role in the pathophysiology of varicocele (VC), however, comprehensive studies concomitantly assessing semen parameter along with chromatin status, oxidative stress, and enzymatic antioxidants in both testis and sperm are limited. Therefore, this study aims to assess these parameters in varicocelized rats.

Materials And Methods: For this study, 30 Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups: Control group (I); sham-operated group (II) and left varicocele group (III). Read More

N Engl J Med 2018 11;379(21):2064-2072

From the Departments of Urology (D.M.D.), Radiology (J.F.S.), Medicine (O.I., P.J.S.), and Pathology (C.-L.W.), Massachusetts General Hospital, and the Departments of Surgery (D.M.D.), Radiology (J.F.S.), Medicine (O.I., P.J.S.), and Pathology (C.-L.W.), Harvard Medical School - both in Boston.

Andrologia 2018 Nov 20:e13197. Epub 2018 Nov 20.

Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology Department, Cairo University Hospitals, Cairo, Egypt.

We aimed to evaluate the use of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in the assessment of the varicocele effect on testicular parenchyma and spermatogenesis, with estimation of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value changes in the testicular parenchyma. We prospectively evaluated 30 consecutive patients (18 patients with bilateral varicocele and 12 patients with unilateral varicocele) and 10 healthy controls. US and DWI were performed to all patients. Read More

BMC Urol 2018 Nov 13;18(1):104. Epub 2018 Nov 13.

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

Background: Varicocele is known to be associated with infertility and sperm disorders. The exact cause of this ailment is not fully understood. There are limited numbers of studies where venous blood gases (VBGs) of varicocele veins were determined with conflicting results. Read More

J Urol 2018 Sep 30;200(3):484. Epub 2018 May 30.

Bol Med Hosp Infant Mex 2018 ;75(6):373-376

Departamento de Enseñanza e Investigación, Hospital General Regional Número Uno, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social. Ciudad Obregón, Sonora, México.

Background: Aneurysm of the testicular artery is a rare entity; the term is described as the dilation of any blood vessel in the body.

Case Report: An 18-year-old patient with a left testicular artery aneurysm, with no family or personal history of medical importance, presented for consultation due to a volume increase of long evolution in the inguinal region, accompanied by sporadic pain with no other symptoms. The testicular artery aneurysm was not detectable preoperatively by ultrasound, which only reported data compatible with left inguinal hernia and varicocele. Read More

Surg Radiol Anat 2018 Nov 7. Epub 2018 Nov 7.

Chest Medicine Department, Mansoura Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt.

Pulmonary agenesis is a very rare congenital anomaly characterized by the absence of pulmonary parenchyma and its vasculature. The diagnosis is usually during childhood. Herein, we report a case of incidental discover right pulmonary agenesis in adulthood male. Read More

Reprod Biol 2018 Dec 2;18(4):361-367. Epub 2018 Nov 2.

Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Dicle University, Diyarbakır, Turkey.

Varicocele is one of the main and surgically repairable causes of male infertility, which arises from dilatation and torsion of the testicular veins in the plexus pampiniformis. In this study, we examined semen samples from 40 patients diagnosed with varicocele between the ages of 15 and 30 years, according to WHO criteria (pre-operatively, and at 3, 6, and 12 months post-operatively). The mean spermatozoa concentration was found to be 45. Read More

Fertil Steril 2018 Nov;110(6):1006-1011.e2

Department of Urology, Yamaguchi University School of Medicine, Ube, Japan.

Objective: To investigate the prevalence and effects of medical comorbidities on spermatogenesis and to determine whether the treatment of medical comorbidities effectively improves spermatogenesis.

Design: Single-center case-control study.

Setting: University hospital. Read More

Acta Radiol 2018 Nov 5:284185118810981. Epub 2018 Nov 5.

3 Institut Langevin, ESPCI Paris, PSL Research University, Paris, France.

Background: Varicocele is among the most common causes of male infertility because of various mechanism, including hypoxia.

Purpose: To evaluate testicular vascularization (TV) with ultrasensitive Doppler before and during the Valsalva maneuver (VM) and correlate TV changes to varicocele's spermatic venous reflux graduated by color Doppler.

Material And Methods: From January to February 2016, 69 men (135 testis) referred for scrotal ultrasound were prospectively enrolled. Read More