Login to Access Video or Poster Abstract: MP89-03
Sources of Funding: none

Introduction

We investigated whether preoperative follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) level is associated with changes in postoperative semen parameters following microsurgical varicocelectomy.

Methods

We identified 37 men who had undergone microsurgical varicocelectomy between August 2015 and June 2016. We compared semen parameters in men based on their preoperative FSH level, defined as normal <10 mIU/ml (n=25) and abnormal =>10 mIU/ml (n=12). We compared varicocele grade, testis volume, prevalence of bilateral disease, preoperative, and postoperative semen parameters (at 3 months) between men with normal and abnormal FSH.

Results

The age, varicocele grade, preoperative testosterone levels were similar between men who underwent microsurgical varicocelectomy with normal and high FSH. Men with higher FSH had higher rates of bilateral disease. In a univariate analysis, men with FSH <10 mIU/mL had higher increases in absolute total sperm count (20.4M vs. 0.8M, p=0.002), sperm concentration (5.2M/mL vs. 1.4M/mL, p=0.05), and total motile count (5.1M vs. 1.4M, p=0.02) postoperatively compared to those with abnormal FSH. As expected, testis volume was smaller in the men with high FSH (12 cc vs. 14 cc, p=0.004). Change in motility was not significantly different between men with abnormal and normal FSH.

Conclusions

Our study suggested an association between men with normal FSH levels (<10 mIU/ml) and significant improvements in total sperm count, sperm concentration, and total motile count among those who underwent microscopic varicocelectomy. Normal FSH levels can suggest preserved spermatogenesis and greater improvement in semen parameters following varicocele repair.

Funding

none