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

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 (n014) 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, P00.032). 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. © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2012.