Outcomes:
(1) quality of sperm measures
(2) rate of pregnancy in partner
Predictors of a better outcome following resection of a varicocele:
(1) larger varicocele (Grade III of III)
(2) absence of testicular atrophy
(3) normal serum FSH
(4) positive response during a GnRH (gonadotropin releasing hormone) stimulation test
(5) total motile sperm count > 5 million per mL
(6) motility > 60%
(7) absence of genetic infertility
where:
• The units for total motile sperm are assumed to be million per mL. The author refers to millions per ejaculate in some portions of the paper.
• Total motile sperm count is the total sperm count times the percent that are motile.
The authors felt that surgery was unlikely to increase fertility if a genetic cause was identified.
