TY - JOUR AU - Masterson, Thomas A. AU - Greer, Aubrey B. AU - Ramasamy, Ranjith PY - 2018/08/30 Y2 - 2024/03/29 TI - Time to improvement in semen parameters after microsurgical varicocelectomy in men with severe oligospermia JF - Canadian Urological Association Journal JA - CUAJ VL - 13 IS - 3 SE - Original Research DO - 10.5489/cuaj.5408 UR - https://cuaj.ca/index.php/journal/article/view/5408 SP - AB - <p><strong>Introduction:</strong> We aimed to determine the time and predictive factors of semen quality improvement in men with severe oligospermia after microsurgical varicocelectomy.</p><p><strong>Methods:</strong> Men with total motile sperm count (TMSC) &lt;5 million on two semen analyses were identified from May 2015 to August 2017. Postoperative semen analysis was collected at 3–6 months and &gt;6 months. We evaluated preoperative factors for successful semen quality upgrading based on assisted reproductive technology (ART) eligibility: in vitro fertilization [IVF] (&lt;5 million), intrauterine insemination (IUI) (5–9 million), and natural pregnancy (&gt;9 million). We compared men with TMSC &lt;5 million to those with TMSC 5–9 million. Data are reported as means and standard error of the mean (SEM). Pregnancy data was collected by phone interview at &gt;6 months postoperatively.</p><p><strong>Results:</strong> A total of 33 men were included. TMSC improved from 1.5±0.2 to 7.3±1.8 million at 3–6 months (p&lt;0.05) and 12.2±3.6 million at &gt;6 months (p&lt;0.05). There was no statistical difference in TMSC between 3–6 months and &gt;6 months. Sixteen (48.5%) men upgraded semen quality into the range of natural pregnancy. Preoperative TMSC from 2–5 million was predictive of upgrading semen quality. Twenty-four couples were contacted by phone; 20 were attempting pregnancy in the postoperative period and five (25%) of them had achieved natural pregnancy.</p><p><strong>Conclusions:</strong> Men with TMSC &lt;5 million can expect the largest improvement in TMSC from 3–6 months postoperatively with minimal improvement thereafter. Preoperative TMSC &gt;2 million was most predictive of semen quality upgrading.</p> ER -