Varicoceles are abnormally dilated scrotal veins that negatively affect both the quantity and quality of sperm. One primary qualitative measure that increases in men with varicoceles is sperm DNA fragmentation. High levels of sperm DNA fragmentation in the head of sperm cells have been demonstrated to decrease pregnancy rates and increase miscarriage rates.
Varicoceles are among the most common causes of sperm DNA fragmentation in infertile men, and surgical repair has been shown to reduce these levels in most cases. Clinically, varicoceles are graded during physical examination on a scale of 1 to 3, with grade 3 being the largest and most severe.
Dr. Parviz Kavoussi published a study showing that the grade or severity of a varicocele does not affect the degree of elevated sperm DNA fragmentation, nor does it impact the extent of improvement after repair. He explains, “This data is very helpful in counseling patients that they can expect similar improvements in sperm DNA fragmentation with microsurgical varicocele repair, regardless of the clinical grade or severity.”
