Time to improvement in semen parameters after microsurgical varicocelectomy in men with severe oligospermia

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5489/cuaj.5408

Keywords:

severe oligospermia, varicocele, spermatogenesis

Abstract

Introduction: We aimed to determine the time and predictive factors of semen quality improvement in men with severe oligospermia after microsurgical varicocelectomy.

Methods: Men with total motile sperm count (TMSC) <5 million on two semen analyses were identified from May 2015 to August 2017. Postoperative semen analysis was collected at 3–6 months and >6 months. We evaluated preoperative factors for successful semen quality upgrading based on assisted reproductive technology (ART) eligibility: in vitro fertilization [IVF] (<5 million), intrauterine insemination (IUI) (5–9 million), and natural pregnancy (>9 million). We compared men with TMSC <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 >6 months postoperatively.

Results: 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<0.05) and 12.2±3.6 million at >6 months (p<0.05). There was no statistical difference in TMSC between 3–6 months and >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.

Conclusions: Men with TMSC <5 million can expect the largest improvement in TMSC from 3–6 months postoperatively with minimal improvement thereafter. Preoperative TMSC >2 million was most predictive of semen quality upgrading.

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Published

2018-08-30

How to Cite

Masterson, T. A., Greer, A. B., & Ramasamy, R. (2018). Time to improvement in semen parameters after microsurgical varicocelectomy in men with severe oligospermia. Canadian Urological Association Journal, 13(3). https://doi.org/10.5489/cuaj.5408

Issue

Vol. 13 No. 3 (2019): CUAJ March

Section

Original Research

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