Role of Oxidative Stress in Pathogenesis of Varicocele and Infertility

• Published in: Urology (Ridgewood, N.J.) Vol. 73; no. 3; pp. 461 - 469
• Main Authors: Agarwal, Ashok, Sharma, Rakesh K, Desai, Nisarg R, Prabakaran, Sushil, Tavares, Antonio, Sabanegh, Edmund
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier Inc 01.03.2009; Elsevier
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics; Humans; Infertility, Male - etiology; Infertility, Male - metabolism; Male; Male genital diseases; Medical sciences; Nephrology. Urinary tract diseases; Non tumoral diseases; Oxidative Stress; Urology; Varicocele - etiology; Varicocele - metabolism; Oxidative stress; Varicocele; Nephrology; Pathogenesis; Male genital diseases; Sterility; Testicular diseases; Urology
• ISSN: 0090-4295; 1527-9995
• DOI: 10.1016/j.urology.2008.07.053

This review summarizes the published literature about the role of oxidative stress in the pathophysiology of varicocele and the beneficial effects of varicocele repair on oxidative stress. Literature survey was performed using the Medline, EMBASE, BIOSIS, and Cochrane databases between 1993 and 2008 that were relevant to oxidative stress and varicocele. Varicocele treatment can reduce reactive oxygen species levels and improve sperm parameters and pregnancy rates, although it is still controversial with Assisted Reproductive Techniques outcomes. We conclude that spermatozoal dysfunction in varicocele patients could be multifactorial, and oxidative stress-induced injury appears to be one of the main causes.