Source of reactive oxygen species in varicocele patients

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) may play a crucial role in development of infertility and therefore also in varicocele patients. There have been previous investigations concerning ROS generation in seminal plasma but the significance of their generation is questionable. In view of the possible contribution of ROS in infertility, we tried to locate another source in varicocele patients, who often have associated infertility. 18 male patients with left sided varicocele and a mean age of 23 years were examined. Blood samples were drawn from the cubital vein and the dilated vena spermatica intraoperatively. ROS were determined by HPLC measurement of the malondialdehyde-thiobarbituric acid adduct. In all patients the ROS levels in the vena spermatica were significantly higher than in the cubital vein (P < 0.0001). We conclude that the source of ROS generation in varicocele patients is the dilated vena spermatica, with a subsequent rise in ROS level in the seminal plasma due to reduced blood flow. Med Sci Res 27:677-679 (C) 1999 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.