ABSTRACT
Varicocele is considered a sort of chronic stress to the testis. There is a significantly increased percentage of tappered sperm in varicocele patient semen which is called stress pattern of sperm morphology. The aim of this work was to study the effect of stress on reproductive hormones in infertile males. Special group of infertile patients with varicocele were chosen. The study included 20 infertile patients undergoing varicocelectomy. Two blood samples were taken from each individual to detect the effect of operation stress on hormones. The following hormones were assayed: LH, testosterone FSH and prolactin. It was found that there is insignificant increase in serum testosterone, LH and prolactin. While serum FSH was significantly increased in the sample taken immediately before operation. This increase can be explained by disruption of the testis by stress with subsequent alteration in testosterone biosynthesis and/ or inhibin. When inhibin release is reduced, it stimulates the release of FSH from pituitary cells by feedback mechanism