ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVES</b>To evaluate the effects of varicocele (VC) on IL-1 and NO levels in testes of rats with VC.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Male adult Wistar rats were divided into two groups randomly, VC group (n = 30) and pseudo-operation group (n = 20), and the levels of IL-1 and NO in the testes were determined and compared.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The levels of IL-1 and No of left tests in VC group were higher than those in pseudo-operation group, respectively(P < 0.01). While the levels of IL-1 and NO of right testes between two groups were not significantly different (P > 0.05). More over, the level of IL-1 correlated significantly with that of NO(r = 0.572, P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The results revealed that the changes of IL-1 and NO levels in the testes of rats with VC might be the reason which caused testes damage, disturbance of spermatogenesis and even infertility.</p>