[Surgery of varicocele: results concerning sperm motility and morphology].

STUDY OBJECTIVE

This study evaluated the changes induced by surgical treatment of varicocele on the classical parameter of the sperm count as well as the parameters of Kruger's classification.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Comparative analysis of sperm concentration, mobility and head morphology was performed on the sperm counts obtained before and 6 months after surgery in 159 infertile patients with clinical left varicocele, suspected of being the only aetiological factor for infertility.

RESULTS

Sperm mobility and the percentage of spermatozoa with normal head morphology were significantly increased after treatment. The percentage of spermatozoa with normal morphology was only slightly improved, due to the absence of improvement of flagellar and intermediate segment abnormalities. Fifty-nine term pregnancies were obtained after treatment, corresponding to 41.1% of treated patients.

CONCLUSION

Treatment of varicocele in infertile patients can improve sperm count and morphology parameters, particularly abnormalities of the head according to Kruger's strict criteria. The number of pregnancies observed argues in favour of the treatment of varicocele, when it constitutes the only aetiological factor for infertility.