Varicocele Linked to Abnormal Sperm, Potential Infertility Epidemic
The study looked at sperm quality in infertile men with varicocele. They compared semen from 98 men with varicocele to 130 men with normal fertility. Results showed men with varicocele had fewer normal-looking sperm and less motility compared to the control group. The main sperm issue observed was with the shape of the sperm heads. This suggests varicocele can lead to more abnormally shaped sperm, possibly affecting fertility. The researchers used established criteria to assess sperm shape and movement, finding a link between varicocele and sperm damage. These findings show that varicocele can impact sperm morphology and movement, potentially affecting a man's ability to father a child.