Androgen Receptor Expression Relationship with Semen Variables in Infertile Men with Varicocele

Purpose: Androgen receptor, a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily, has important roles in male reproductive function. It is required for sexual differentiation, pubertal development, spermatogenesis regulation, meiosis completion and spermatocyte transition to haploid round spermatids. We assessed the association of androgen receptor expression and semen variables in infertile men with varicocele. Materials and Methods: A total of 299 men were grouped into healthy, fertile controls, infertile men without varicocele and men with infertility associated with varicocele. A history was obtained, clinical examination and semen analysis were done and reproductive hormones were estimated. Androgen receptor expression and the acrosome reaction were determined in recovered spermatozoa. Results: Androgen receptor expression was significantly decreased in infertile men with varicocele more than in infertile men without varicocele compared to fertile controls. Androgen receptor correlated positively with sperm count, motility, normal forms, velocity, linear velocity, acrosome reaction and alpha-glucosidase. It correlated negatively with serum follicle-stimulating hormone and estradiol. Multiple stepwise regression analysis of androgen receptor expression revealed that the sperm acrosome reaction and linearity index were the most affected independent variables. Conclusions: Androgen receptor expression was significantly decreased in infertile men with varicocele more than in infertile men without varicocele compared to fertile men. Androgen receptor expression correlated positively with sperm count, motility, normal forms, velocity, linear velocity and acrosome reaction.