Investigation of sperm DNA fragmantation, sperm chromatin condensation and sperm mitocondrial membrane potential in normal male and varicocele patient groups

The mechanisms of testicular damage in varicocele cases are still controversial. Many studies have shown that sperm DNA damage is the cause of infertility. In this study, we aimed to investigate the chromatin condensation, sperm apoptosis and sperm mitochondrial membrane potential of sperm DNA fragmentation in varicocele cases. In this study; Standard semen analysis was performed in patients who applied to Biruni University Hospital Urology Outpatient Clinic in normal (n: 22) group and clinical varicocele (n: 22) group according to WHO criteria. Sperm maturation was evaluated by acidic aniline blue (blue) staining method and CMA3 fluorescent dye method, sperm DNA fragmentation by acridine orange fluorescent staining method and rhodamine123 / propidium iodide staining method and sperm mitochondria membrane potential and apoptotic sperms were evaluated. Evaluation results were compared between groups.In our study, it was observed that sperm morphology and sperm motility showed a statistically significant decrease when varicocele cases were compared with normal cases (p <0.0001,). Sperm neck anomalies were higher in varicocele cases (p <0.0001). Sperm immaturation and DNA fragmentation were higher in varicocele cases (p <0.0001). Sperm mitochondria membrane potential and apoptotic sperm ratio (measured by propidium iodide) measured by Rhodamine 123 was shown to be high in varicocele cases (p <0.0001). Varicocele had negative effects on sperm maturation and mitochondrial physiology (p <0.0001). A high rate of apoptotic sperm was found in varicocele cases (p <0.0001). As a result, varicocele characterized by dilatation of testicular veins and elevated testicular temperature; sperm maturation sperm DNA and mitochondrial activity have been affected negatively.