ASYMPTOMATIC VARICOCELE TESTIS

The incidence of asymptomatic varicocele among 542 unselected military conscripts in Denmark was 9%. Semen from 39 of the 49 men with varicocele was compared with findings in age-matched, varicocele-free controls. The overall quality of the semen was reduced in the varicocele group (p < 0.001), with significantly lower parameters of sperm concentration, total sperm count, qualitative motility and sperm motility after 24 hours. There was also significant difference in morphology, with more amorphous spermatozoa and more with tail defects (p < 0.05) in the varicocele group. The study indicated an association between asymptomatic varicocele and compromised sperm quality. The advisability of surgical treatment was not clarified, but the two groups of men will be further observed with special regard to this question.