preliminary study: n-acetyl-l-cysteine improves semen quality following varicocelectomy

ABSTRACT

Background: Surgery is considered the primary treatment for male infertility from clinical varicocele. One of the main events associated with varicocele is excessive production of reactive oxygen species [ROS]. N-acetyl-L-cysteine [NAC], an antioxidant that scavenges free radicals, is considered a supplement to alleviate glutathione [GSH] depletion during oxidative stress. Despite beneficial effects of NAC in other pathological events, there is no report on the effect of NAC in individuals with varicocele. Therefore, the aim of this study is to evaluate the outcome of NAC on semen quality, protamine content, DNA damage, oxidative stress and fertility following varicocelectomy