Introduction: The impact of varicocele on male infertility is still controversial. Previous studies documented that improvements in semen parameters occur since 3 months following varicocelectomy due to the 64–72 days duration for spermatogenesis, however, the current evidence describing the time to semen parameter improvement within 3 months after varicocelectomy is sparse. This prospective study aimed to evaluate the dynamics of early semen parameters recovery after varicocelectomy.
Methods: We conducted a prospective analysis including 12 men with oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (OAT) who underwent subinguinal microsurgical varicocelectomy from August 2019 to April 2020. By using the home-based semen quality monitoring (SQM) device LensHooke® X1 (Bonraybio, Taiwan), the patients monitored postoperative semen parameter at home once per week for three months. All patients received standard laboratory semen analyses before and 1, 2 and 3 months after surgery. The changes in semen parameters, including sperm concentration, total motility count and motile sperm concentration (sperm concentration x total motility) were recorded. Spearman’s ranked correlation coefficient analysis was used to evaluate the strength of association between LensHooke® X1 and standard laboratory semen analyses.
Results: Of the 12 men, improvement of motile sperm concentration was found in 17%, 25% and 75% of patients at postoperative 1, 2 and 3 months respectively. The motile sperm concentration improved in 33% since the first month post operation, and the improvement increased to 75% at two months and 100% at 3 months after operation. Spearman’s ranked correlation coefficient analysis showed high correlation of data from LensHooke® X1 and the standard laboratory semen analyses in all of sperm parameter (sperm concentration, r=0.97, p<0.0001; total motility, r=0.90, p< 0.0001; motile sperm concentration, r=0.98, p<0.0001).
Conclusions: LensHooke® X1 highly correlates with standard laboratory semen analyses results. By utilizing home-based semen quality monitoring (SQM) device LensHooke® X1, the study demonstrates immediate and continuing semen quality improvement over time in OAT men who receiving subinguinal microscopic varicocelectomy. This is the first study to show the early improvement of semen quality after microscopic varicocelectomy and may provide novel insights into the treatment of varicocele-related infertility.
Source of Funding: Bonraybio Co., Ltd., Taichung City, Taiwan
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