Evaluation of sperm morphology by stereology method in patients with different varicocele grades

Varicocele is one of the most common causes of male infertility in which testicular function and sperm production process are impaired. In this study, sperm parameters and sperm morphology were compared between patients with different varicocele grades.

This study was performed on 55 patients with grade 1, 2 and 3 varicocele as well as 32 fertile individuals (candidates for embryo donation or sex determination) as a control group. After collecting semen from patients, sperm parameters (number, motility and morphology of sperm) and sperm viability in different semen samples were examined. Also, sperm morphology (head, neck and tail length) was evaluated in different groups by stereology technique.

Sperm parameters including sperm count, motility and morphology were significantly lower in varicocele patients in comparison to control group and also sperm motility, survival, sperm count in the third degree varicocele group were significantly lower than other groups. There was no significant difference in sperm head volume and midline length between grade 1, 2 and 3 varicocele groups, but tail length in grade 3 varicocele group was significantly shorter than the other groups.Discussion and

Varicocele, in all its degrees, is associated with a decrease in morphology and sperm count. Also, our study shows that the degree of varicocele affects sperm motility, morphology and viability, and sperm tail length.