The effect of vascular endothelial growth factor on spermatogenesis and apoptosis in experimentally varicocele-induced adolescent rats

Objective: To investigate the effect of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injection into the testes on spermatogenesis and apoptosis in a varicocele-induced adolescent rat model. Setting: University hospital urology research laboratory. Animal(s): Six-week-old male Wistar rats (n = 32). Intervention: The rats were divided into six groups: control group (n = 6), sham operated group (n = 6), left varicocele-induced group (n = 6), varicocele + varicocelectomy group (n = 6), varicocele + VEGF-injected group (n = 4), and varicocele + varicocelectomy + VEGF-injected group (n = 4). Main Outcome Measure(s): Johnsen's score and apoptotic cells. Result(S): The mean Johnsen's score was lower in the varicocele group compared with in the control and sham groups. The mean apoptotic index was significantly higher in the varicocele group compared with in the control and sham groups. Compared with the varicocele group, the mean apoptotic index was significantly lower in the varicocele + varicocelectomy, varicocele + VEGF, and varicocele + varicocelectomy + VEGF groups. Conclusion(s): Varicocele may cause a decrease in spermatogenesis and an increase in the apoptotic index. VEGF may play a positive role in improving testicular damage and may also play a significant role in decreasing apoptosis in a varicocele-induced adolescent rat model. (Fertil Steril (R) 2009;91:2247-52. (C) 2009 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.)