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Influence of microsurgical varicocelectomy on human sperm mitochondrial DNA copy number: a pilot study

  • Gamete Biology
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Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background

There is good evidence to show that varicocele repair can improve conventional sperm parameters, as well as, sperm DNA integrity, in infertile men with a clinical varicocele.

Objective

To examine the effect of varicocelectomy on sperm quality, specifically, sperm nuclear chromatin integrity and sperm mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number.

Design, Setting, and Participants

A prospective study done between March 2007 and January 2008. We evaluated a consecutive series of infertile men (n = 14) presenting to Ovo clinic with one year or more history of infertility, a clinically palpable varicocele and poor motility (<25 % rapid progressive and <50 % progressive).

Surgical Procedure

Microsurgical sub-inguinal varicocelectomy.

Outcome Measurements and Statistical Analysis

Conventional sperm parameters, sperm mtDNA copy number (by real time PCR) and sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA) parameters (%DFI,% HDS) before and 4 months after microsurgical varicocelectomy.

Results and Limitations

Sperm concentration and SCSA parameters (%DFI and %HDS) improved significantly after surgery (P < 0.05). Sperm mitochondrial DNA copy number decreased significantly after surgery (27 ± 30 to 9 ± 6 copies per sperm, respectively, P = 0.032). There was a significant negative correlation between mitochondrial DNA copy number and sperm motility (r = − 0.71, P = 0.002).

Conclusion

These findings support the concept that correction of a varicocele can improve spermatogenesis and sperm function, as mitochondrial DNA copy number has been suggested to reflect the efficiency of spermatogenesis and has been inversely related to sperm motility.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada

    Maria San Gabriel, Sam W. Chan, Naif Alhathal & Junjian Z. Chen

  2. St. Mary’s Hospital, 3830 Lacombe Ave., Montreal, QC, Canada, H3T 1M5

    Armand Zini

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  1. Maria San Gabriel
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  2. Sam W. Chan
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  3. Naif Alhathal
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  4. Junjian Z. Chen
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  5. Armand Zini
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Correspondence to Armand Zini.

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Capsule In a prospective study of infertile men with clinical varicocele and poor sperm motility, we have found that microsurgical varicocelectomy is associated with an improvement in sperm nuclear DNA integrity and a reduction in mitochondrial DNA copy number.

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Gabriel, M.S., Chan, S.W., Alhathal, N. et al. Influence of microsurgical varicocelectomy on human sperm mitochondrial DNA copy number: a pilot study. J Assist Reprod Genet 29, 759–764 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-012-9785-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-012-9785-z

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