The role of varicocele repair in the new era of assisted reproductive technology

Authors

  • Marcello Cocuzza Universidade de São Paulo; Faculdade de Medicina; Department of Urology
  • Mariana Amora Cocuzza Universidade de São Paulo; Faculdade de Medicina; Department of Gynecology
  • Frances Monette Papa Bragais Cleveland Clinic Foundation; Glickman Urological and Kidney Institute
  • Ashok Agarwal Cleveland Clinic Foundation; Glickman Urological and Kidney Institute

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/S1807-59322008000300018

Keywords:

Varicocele, Varicocelectomy, Male infertility, Seminal parameters, Assisted reproductive techniques

Abstract

Infertility affects 10-15% of couples who are trying to conceive, and half of the cases are due to male infertility. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection is increasingly being used to overcome multiple sperm deficiencies. Due to its effectiveness, some have proposed ICSI as a solution for all cases of male infertility, regardless of the cause. Hence, even men with potentially treatable causes of infertility have sought the aid of assisted reproductive technology, rather than undergo specific therapies to treat their infertility. Varicoceles are the most frequent physical finding in infertile men; indeed, they may be responsible for nearly one-third of cases of male infertility. Varicocele management, however, has always been a controversial issue because very few randomized, controlled studies have been performed to examine varicocelectomy as an infertility treatment. Significant evidence suggests that varicoceles have a harmful effect on the testis and that varicocelectomy can not only prevent progressive decline in testicular function but also reverse the damage. However, the degree to which varicocele repair improves pregnancy rates and the success of assisted reproductive technology remains controversial.

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Published

2008-01-01

Issue

Section

Review Articles

How to Cite

Cocuzza, M., Cocuzza, M. A., Bragais, F. M. P., & Agarwal, A. (2008). The role of varicocele repair in the new era of assisted reproductive technology . Clinics, 63(3), 395-404. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1807-59322008000300018