The effect of varicocelectomy on serum testosterone levels in infertile men with varicoceles.

Abstract

We evaluated the effect of varicocelectomy on serum testosterone. We retrospectively reviewed the effect of varicocelectomy on serum testosterone levels in 53 infertile men with varicoceles. Mean serum testosterone increased from a preoperative level of 319 +/- 12 to 409 +/- 23 ng./dl. postoperatively (p < 0.0004). Men with at least 1 firm testis preoperatively had a greater increase in serum testosterone (p < 0.005). An inverse correlation was noted between preoperative testosterone levels and change in testosterone after varicocelectomy (r = -0.34, p < 0.013). Varicocelectomy can increase serum testosterone for infertile men with varicoceles. Although improvement in serum testosterone does not necessarily cause a direct improvement in semen quality, varicocelectomy may improve hormonal and spermatogenic function.