Effect of microsurgical varicocelectomy on sperm DNA integrity and association with reproductive outcomes at IVF/ICSI

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INTRODUCTION

Men with clinical varicoceles have been shown to have elevated levels of sperm DNA fragmentation (DFI), which is associated with adverse reproductive outcomes. We examined the effect of microsurgical subinguinal varicocele repair (VR) on sperm DFI assessed by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay and/or sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA) and correlated these data with pregnancy and live birth outcomes at IVF/ICSI.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective review of 78 men who underwent microsurgical subinguinal VR by a single surgeon for male factor infertility and had pre and postoperative measurements of sperm DFI. Sperm DFI was assessed by TUNEL and/or SCSA assay and compared with IVF/ICSI outcomes. Comparisons were assessed with t-test and McNemar&[prime]s test.

RESULTS

Mean patient age was 38.5 years old and mean partner age was 36.6 years old. Mean TUNEL and SCSA values both decreased significantly following VR, with the mean percentage of TUNEL positive sperm decreasing by 6.9% from 17.0±8.9% to 10.1±6.2% (n=60, p7% TUNEL-positive sperm) decreased from 93% of patients (56/60) to 62% (37/60) post-operatively (p30%) decreased from 71% (25/35) to 31%(11/35) post-operatively (p

CONCLUSION

Treatment of varicocele using microsurgical subinguinal VR technique significantly improves sperm DFI as measured by TUNEL and SCSA. Improvements in TUNEL following VR are associated with improved pregnancy outcomes using IVF/ICSI.

Funding: The Frederick J. and Theresa Dow Wallace Fund of the New York Community Trust.