Effect of Zaditen and N-acetyl-L-cysteine on Sperm Parameters and Protamine Content in Infertile Men after Varicocelectomy

Varicocele, dilation in pampiniform vein, is known as one of the most common causes of infertility. Decrease in semen quality and increase of mast cells as cells involved in inflammatory and oxidative stress processes can be among main causes of defects in spermatogenesis process in related patients. Varicocelectomy, the surgical correction of varicocele, can be with or without drug treatment. Drug application after surgery may be useful for improvement of semen quality. Therefore we aimed to compare the effects of NAC (N-Acetyl cysteine) as an antioxidant and zaditen drug as mast cell blocker on sperm parameters and protamine content after varicocelectomy in individuals with varicocele. In this retrospective study, infertile men who were candidate for varicocelectomy were divided into three groups: control, treatment with a dose of 1 mg per day of zaditen and treatment with a dose of 200 mg of NAC, for 3 months. Sperm parameters and protamine content according to WHO protocols and chromomycin A3-staining respectively were assessed before surgery and 3 months after surgery. Semen parameters (concentration, motility, and morphology) and protamine content were significantly improved after surgery compared to before surgery in both groups that treated whit NAC or Zaditen (P<0. 05). Means of sperm parameters were insignificantly higher while percentage of protamine deficiency was insignificantly lower in zaditen group compared to NAC group. Only, percentage of abnormal sperm morphology was significantly lower in zaditen group compared to NAC group. Therefore, both of these drugs are effective in improving sperm parameters and protamin content.