Sertoli cell function in varicocele-induced subfertility

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study is to find a correlation between the grade of varicocele, the total seminal transferrin level and the altered seminal parameters in 40 infertile patients with varicocele. Although no correlation had been found between both the grade of varicocele and intrascrotal temperature and both the total seminal transferrin concentration and the altered seminal parameters studied, a positive direct correlation was detected between the decreased seminal transferrin concentration and both the sperm density and% of motile sperms. The possible role of both Sertoli cell dysfunction and increased intrascrotal temperature in inducing subfertility in patients with varicocele has been discussed in details, and the relation between Sertoli cell dysfunction and altered spermatogenesis was explained in details on the basis of the testicular cell interaction