Increased nitric oxide production in the spermatic vein of patients with varicocele

Objective: To define the level of nitric oxide (NO) in the spermatic vein of patients with varicocele and its relation with male infertility. Materials and Methods: Following physical and color Doppler ultrasonographic examination, whole blood samples were drawn from a peripheral vein and a dilated varicocele vein from fourteen patients with clinically palpable varicocele (G2-3) before ligation. NO levels in the serum were determined as total nitrite by Greiss reaction and results were compared with Mann-Whitney U test. Results: NO levels in the internal spermatic vein were 36.05 +/- 8.92 mu mol/l, compared to 19.41 +/- 4.12 mu mol/l in the peripheral vein and the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.01). Conclusion: In view of our results, increased NO levels in the dilated varicocele vein might be responsible for spermatozoa dysfunction. Copyright (C) 2000 S. Karger AG, Basel.