The Effect of Age on Semen Quality and Spontaneous Pregnancy Rates in Patients who Treated with Microsurgical Inguinal Varicocelectomy

Introduction The aim of this study is to evaluate whether pregnancy rates or semen parameters are affected due to male or female age after microsurgical varicocelectomy. Methods A total of 293 infertile men who underwent microsurgical inguinal varicocelectomy were divided into three groups according to age: group 1, patients and their spouses ≥35 years old (n = 46); group 2, patients ≥35 years old and their spouses <35 years old (n = 34); and group 3, patients and their spouses <35 years old (n = 213). Preoperative and postoperative semen parameters and pregnancy rates were compared. Results The median ages of the patients in groups 1, 2, and 3 were 41, 35.50, and 28 years, respectively. The median ages of the spouses were 36 (35-38 years), 30 (21-34 years), and 25 (18-32 years) years, in groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Total motile sperm count (TMC) significantly increased in all groups after varicocelectomy (P < 0.05). Pregnancy rates after varicocelectomy was higher in group 3 compared to groups 2 and 3, but the differences were not significant (P = 0.133). Conclusions According to these results we can say that male and female ages were not negative factors in terms of pregnancy rates.