Evaluation of the reactive oxygen species in pericheric and testicular vein in men with varicocele

Vm- SUMMARY EVALUATION OF THE REACTIVE OXYGEN SPECIES IN PERIPHERIC AND TESTICULAR VEIN IN MEN WITH VARICOCELE Varicocele is defined as the dilatation of the spermatic veins that creates the plexus pampiniformis. The most common cause of infertility that can be treatable is varicocele. Increased reactive oxygen species levels and decreased antioxidant activity of seminal plasma of patients with varicocele attract many investigator's attention. When the balance between oxidant and antioxidant systems change in favor of oxidant system, cell functions interacts negatively. The hyperactive production of reactive oxygen species may cause loss of sperm functions, especially decreases motility. The purpose of this study is to determine the free oxygen radicals from peripheral vein and testicular vein blood samples of the men with infertility or clinical varicocele before varicocelectomy. Between December 2001 and August 2003, fertile or infertile patients who presented with scrotal pain, palpable/visible veins included in this study. A detailed medical history was taken and a complete physical examination was done. At least 2 spermiograms were evaluated. During the operation before dissecting the spermatic vein, 2cc blood sample was taken. Peripheral vein blood sample was taken at the peroperative period. Superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase was measured at testicular and peripheric blood eryhtrocyts, malondialdehyde and total antioxidant capacity was measured at plasma. The patients were clinicaly 41evaluated postoperatively at 1st and 3rd month. At 3rd month control spermogram was evaluated. The mean age of patients were 24.5±4.2 (16-30) years. The varicoceles' grades that found by physical examination was 2.2±0.6. Preoperative and postoperative 3rd month spermiograms of the patients were evaluated. A statistical increase was found at the sperm concentration but at motility this increase was not statisticaly significant. Testicular vein eryhtrocytes superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase were statisticaly lower than peripheric vein eryhtrocyts (for superoxide dismutase p=0,012, for glutathione peroxidase p<0,0001, for glutathion reductase p=0,006). Testicular vein plasma malondialdehyde level was statisticaly higher than peripheric vein plasma (p<0,0001). Total antioxidant capacity was higher at the peripheric plasma (p=0,014). Increasing of free oxygen radicals that is in the phsyopatology of 'clinical varicocele causes infertility' hypothesis, was showed in this study. We need further investigations to increase clinical success with medical or surgery with medical treatments for decreasing free oxygen radicals. 42