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Xiao-Bin G, Fang-Lei W, Hui X, Cheng Y, Zhi-Xuan C, Zhi-Peng H, Cun-Dong L, Wen-Bin G. The association between body mass index and varicocele: A meta-analysis. Int Braz J Urol 2021; 47:8-19. [PMID: 32271509 PMCID: PMC7712683 DOI: 10.1590/s1677-5538.ibju.2019.0210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2019] [Accepted: 11/17/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective: Recently, several studies have found that obesity had a protective effect against varicocele, but no meta-analysis has confirmed this finding. Therefore, we conducted this meta-analysis to investigate the association between body mass index (BMI) and varicocele. Material and Methods: We searched for studies in PubMed, Science Direct and the Cochrane Library from inception until February 2018. The association between BMI and varicocele was assessed by pooling the odds ratios (ORs). Results: Eleven eligible studies with a total study population of 1.376.658 participants were included in our analysis. According to BMI, the subjects were defined as belonging to the obese, overweight and underweight groups. Our results showed that the obese group had a lower risk of varicocele when compared with the normal weight group (odds ratio [OR] 0.46, 95% confidence intervals [CIs] 0.37-0.58). Additionally, an overweight BMI had a protective effect against varicocele (OR 0.70, 95% CIs, 0.56-0.86). However, underweight patients had a more than 30% higher risk of varicocele (OR 1.31, 95% CI, 1.04-1.64). Furthermore, there was no publication bias in any of the analyses. Conclusions: Our study demonstrates that BMI is negatively associated with the presence of varicocele.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guo Xiao-Bin
- Department of Urology, The third affiliated hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510630, P.R. China
| | - Wu Fang-Lei
- Department of Stomatology, The twelfth People's Hospital of Guangzhou, Guangzhou, Guangdong 528000, P.R. China
| | - Xia Hui
- Department of Urology, The third affiliated hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510630, P.R. China
| | - Yang Cheng
- Department of Urology, The third affiliated hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510630, P.R. China
| | - Cai Zhi-Xuan
- Department of Urology, The third affiliated hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510630, P.R. China
| | - Huang Zhi-Peng
- Department of Urology, The third affiliated hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510630, P.R. China
| | - Liu Cun-Dong
- Department of Urology, The third affiliated hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510630, P.R. China
| | - Guo Wen-Bin
- Department of Urology, The third affiliated hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510630, P.R. China
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Pandruvada S, Royfman R, Shah TA, Sindhwani P, Dupree JM, Schon S, Avidor-Reiss T. Lack of trusted diagnostic tools for undetermined male infertility. J Assist Reprod Genet 2021; 38:265-276. [PMID: 33389378 PMCID: PMC7884538 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-020-02037-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Accepted: 12/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Semen analysis is the cornerstone of evaluating male infertility, but it is imperfect and insufficient to diagnose male infertility. As a result, about 20% of infertile males have undetermined infertility, a term encompassing male infertility with an unknown underlying cause. Undetermined male infertility includes two categories: (i) idiopathic male infertility-infertile males with abnormal semen analyses with an unknown cause for that abnormality and (ii) unexplained male infertility-males with "normal" semen analyses who are unable to impregnate due to unknown causes. The treatment of males with undetermined infertility is limited due to a lack of understanding the frequency of general sperm defects (e.g., number, motility, shape, viability). Furthermore, there is a lack of trusted, quantitative, and predictive diagnostic tests that look inside the sperm to quantify defects such as DNA damage, RNA abnormalities, centriole dysfunction, or reactive oxygen species to discover the underlying cause. To better treat undetermined male infertility, further research is needed on the frequency of sperm defects and reliable diagnostic tools that assess intracellular sperm components must be developed. The purpose of this review is to uniquely create a paradigm of thought regarding categories of male infertility based on intracellular and extracellular features of semen and sperm, explore the prevalence of the various categories of male factor infertility, call attention to the lack of standardization and universal application of advanced sperm testing techniques beyond semen analysis, and clarify the limitations of standard semen analysis. We also call attention to the variability in definitions and consider the benefits towards undetermined male infertility if these gaps in research are filled.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swati Pandruvada
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43607 USA
| | - Rachel Royfman
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43607 USA
| | - Tariq A. Shah
- Department of Urology, College of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43607 USA
| | - Puneet Sindhwani
- Department of Urology, College of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43607 USA
| | - James M. Dupree
- Department of Urology and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48019 USA
| | - Samantha Schon
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109 USA
| | - Tomer Avidor-Reiss
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43607 USA
- Department of Urology, College of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43607 USA
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Santana VP, James ER, Miranda-Furtado CL, Souza MFD, Pompeu CP, Esteves SC, Carrell DT, Aston KI, Jenkins TG, Reis RMD. Differential DNA methylation pattern and sperm quality in men with varicocele. Fertil Steril 2020; 114:770-778. [PMID: 32709382 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2020.04.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2020] [Revised: 04/22/2020] [Accepted: 04/22/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To study the global DNA methylation pattern in spermatozoa of patients with varicocele as well as investigate their semen quality. DESIGN Prospective observational case-control study. SETTING University-affiliated hospital. PATIENT(S) A total of 26 men with varicocele and 26 fertile men without the disorder. INTERVENTIONS Analysis of semen quality and sperm DNA methylation patterns. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Semen quality evaluated by semen analysis, and sperm DNA methylation patterns investigated using the Infinium MethylationEPIC BeadChip platform. RESULT(S) Men with varicocele displayed decreased semen quality. The sperm DNA methylation analysis showed that men with varicocele exhibit global hypomethylation in comparison with the control group. A total of 59 differentially methylated CpG sites were identified, most of them hypomethylated in the varicocele group. In regional analyses, 1,695 DNA regions were differentially methylated in men with varicocele. These regions show associations with gamete generation, meiotic and meiosis cell cycle, and semen quality based on gene ontology analysis. CONCLUSION(S) Gene ontology results suggest that changes in methylation may be associated with the low semen quality phenotype observed in some varicocele patients because the observed differentially methylated regions in varicocele patients are related to male reproductive pathways. Additionally, the varicocele grade may influence the magnitude of global sperm DNA methylation change. To our knowledge, this is the first report analyzing changes at a regional or CpG-specific level in men with varicocele.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viviane Paiva Santana
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Emma Rae James
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Cristiana Libardi Miranda-Furtado
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, São Paulo, Brazil; Drug Research and Development Center, Postgraduate Program in Medical and Surgical Sciences, Federal University of Ceara, Fortaleza, Brazil
| | - Mateus Felipe de Souza
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | - Douglas T Carrell
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Kenneth Ivan Aston
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Timothy Gerald Jenkins
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah; Department of Physiology and Developmental Biology, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah
| | - Rosana Maria Dos Reis
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.
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Dave P, Farber N, Vij S. Conventional semen analysis and advanced sperm function tests in diagnosis and management of varicocele. Andrologia 2020; 53:e13629. [PMID: 32369238 DOI: 10.1111/and.13629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2020] [Revised: 04/06/2020] [Accepted: 04/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Clinical varicoceles are a common cause of male infertility and affect sperm parameters as measured in a conventional semen analysis. Varicocelectomy has been shown in prospective studies to improve semen parameters in men with a clinical varicocele. Clinical varicoceles are also a well-known source of oxidative stress which may affect the quality of spermatozoa. Spermatozoa are particularly susceptible to oxidative stress due to a limited capacity for DNA repair. The susceptibility of spermatozoa to oxidative stress is modulated by a balance between ROS and antioxidants, which can be quantified by various laboratory assays. Varicocelectomy has been consistently shown to reduce both ROS and sperm DNA fragmentation, and various assays should be utilised in the diagnosis and treatment of infertile men with a clinical varicocele.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priya Dave
- Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Nicholas Farber
- Department of Urology, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Glickman Urological & Kidney Institute, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Sarah Vij
- Department of Urology, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Glickman Urological & Kidney Institute, Cleveland, OH, USA
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Bolat MS, Kocamanoglu F, Gulsen M, Sengul M, Asci R. The impact of age on fertility rate in patients who underwent microsurgical varicocelectomy. Andrologia 2019; 51:e13234. [DOI: 10.1111/and.13234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2018] [Revised: 12/01/2018] [Accepted: 12/08/2018] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Murat Gulsen
- Department of Urology Ondokuz Mayıs University Samsun Turkey
| | - Mesut Sengul
- Department of Urology Ondokuz Mayıs University Samsun Turkey
| | - Ramazan Asci
- Department of Urology Ondokuz Mayıs University Samsun Turkey
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Santana VP, Miranda-Furtado CL, Pedroso DCC, Eiras MC, Vasconcelos MAC, Ramos ES, Calado RT, Ferriani RA, Esteves SC, dos Reis RM. The relationship among sperm global DNA methylation, telomere length, and DNA fragmentation in varicocele: a cross-sectional study of 20 cases. Syst Biol Reprod Med 2019; 65:95-104. [DOI: 10.1080/19396368.2018.1557762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Viviane Paiva Santana
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Daiana Cristina Chielli Pedroso
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Matheus Credendio Eiras
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
- Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Ester Silveira Ramos
- Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Tocantins Calado
- Department of Internal Medicine, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rui Alberto Ferriani
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Rosana Maria dos Reis
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
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Abdel-Kader M, Hassan A, AbdelRazek M. Is unilateral varicocelectomy as effective as bilateral varicocelectomy in management of subfertile patients with bilateral varicocele. AFRICAN JOURNAL OF UROLOGY 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.afju.2018.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
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Oliva A, Multigner L. Chronic epididymitis and Grade III varicocele and their associations with semen characteristics in men consulting for couple infertility. Asian J Androl 2018; 20:360-365. [PMID: 29516876 PMCID: PMC6038156 DOI: 10.4103/aja.aja_78_17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2017] [Accepted: 12/07/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic epididymitis and varicocele are frequently observed genital disorders in men consulting for couple infertility, but their impact on semen characteristics at the time of infertility consultation is still a matter of debate. We investigated 652 male partners of couples who had their first infertility consultation between 1999 and 2015 in Argentina. Men with chronic epididymitis (n = 253), Grade III varicocele (n = 106), and both conditions (n = 125) were compared with a control group (n = 168) composed of men without these disorders or any other recognized causes of male infertility. We showed that men who presented isolated chronic epididymitis were more likely to have high percentages of low sperm motility and abnormal sperm morphology as well as a high number of white blood cells. Men with isolated Grade III varicocele had low sperm production and motility and an increased percentage of abnormal sperm morphology. Finally, men who simultaneously presented chronic epididymitis with Grade III varicocele had a low sperm motility and increased percentage of abnormal sperm morphology as well as a high number of white blood cells. Physical examination of the genital organs may identify common disorders, potentially involved as causal factors of patient's infertility. These disorders are associated with specific seminal profiles that should help in identifying the best treatment from the available therapeutic options, effectiveness, safety, and allowing as much as possible natural conception.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Oliva
- Center for Interdisciplinary Studies, National University of Rosario, Rosario 2000, Argentina
| | - Luc Multigner
- University of Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de recherche en santé, environnement et travail), UMR_S 1085, Rennes F-35000, France
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Varicocele Is Associated with Impaired Semen Quality and Reproductive Hormone Levels: A Study of 7035 Healthy Young Men from Six European Countries. Eur Urol 2016; 70:1019-1029. [DOI: 10.1016/j.eururo.2016.06.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 133] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2016] [Accepted: 06/30/2016] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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10
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Polackwich AS, Sabanegh E. Asymptomatic postpubertal male with equally sized normal testicles with palpable left varicocele. Asian J Androl 2016; 18:310. [PMID: 26323561 PMCID: PMC4770503 DOI: 10.4103/1008-682x.161601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- A Scott Polackwich
- Male Infertility and Microsurgery, Glickman Urological and Kidney Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Q10, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
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12
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Wang H, Wang X, Fu D, Zhu H, Lai MK. Does varicocele grade predict the postoperative changes of semen parameters following left inguinal micro-varicocelectomy? Asian J Urol 2015; 2:163-166. [PMID: 29264137 PMCID: PMC5730707 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajur.2015.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2015] [Revised: 04/29/2015] [Accepted: 07/06/2015] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective To evaluate the relationship between preoperative grade and postoperative changes of semen parameters following left inguinal varicocelectomy. Methods This study included 44 patients undergoing left microsurgical inguinal varicocelectomy. Internal spermatic veins were classified as large (4 mm or more in diameter), medium (2-4 mm), or small (2 mm or less). Changes in sperm activity, morphology and count were estimated perioperatively. The introperative findings and semen parameters were compared between varicocele groups of grades 2 and 3. Results Both sperm motility and count improved significantly postoperatively (from (31.9 ± 16.3)% to (47.3 ± 15.5)%, from (28.1 ± 28.1) × 106/mL to (52.1 ± 74.2) × 106/mL). In varicoceles with grade 2 and 3, significant differences were found in the number of large veins (0.4 ± 0.6 vs. 1.2 ± 0.7, p < 0.001) and ultrasonographic maximum diameters of spermatic vein in supine and standing positions (2.3 ± 0.4 cm vs. 2.8 ± 0.6 cm, 3.1 ± 0.7 cm vs. 3.9 ± 0.7 cm, p = 0.001 and 0.001 respectively). However no difference of changes in sperm motility and count was detected ((16.3 ± 13.5)% vs. (14.4 ± 12.6)%, (30.5 ± 84.4) × 106/mL vs. (12.9 ± 20.6) × 106/mL respectively, p = 0.65 and 0.40 respectively). Conclusion Preoperative varicocele grade might not predict postoperative semen changes regardless of possible existence of anatomic and ultrasonographic associations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongzhen Wang
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Chang Gung Hospital, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Xueke Wang
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Chang Gung Hospital, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Dingjun Fu
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Chang Gung Hospital, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Hua Zhu
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Chang Gung Hospital, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Ming-Kuen Lai
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Chang Gung Hospital, Xiamen, Fujian, China
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