Comparison of Before and After Varicocelectomy Levels of Nitric Oxide in Seminal Fluid of Infertile Men

BACKGROUND: Since nitric oxide (NO) has an oxidant activity, lower levels following a varicocelectomy may result in better functioning sperm, improved semen quality and consequently higher fertility rates. However, this procedure should be examined in more detail. OBJECTIVES: Accordingly, this study was performed to compare the before and after varicocelectomy levels of NO in the seminal fluid of infertile men. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this before and after comparative study, 20 consecutive patients attending a training hospital in Tehran, Iran were recruited. All of these men had primary or secondary infertility accompanied with a varicocele. A semen sample was collected from the men in two phases, first before their varicocelectomy and two months after their operation. RESULTS: NO levels differed significantly across the study and the mean (± standard deviation) levels of NO in the patients were 30.59 ± 10.35 µM/L and 21.48 ± 32.14 µM/L in the before and after phases of the study, respectively (P = 0.009). CONCLUSIONS: According to the results obtained in this study, it may be concluded that in future, levels of NO should be taken into consideration together with other parameters for the evaluation of patients who are affected by varicoceles, to determine probable therapeutic responses.