Effect of Varicocelectomy on Spermatogenic Cell Count and Semen Parameters

June 28, 2026 updated by: Abdulkarim Mohammed Abdulkarim, Assiut University

Seminal Spermatogenic Cell Count Pre and Post Varicocelectomy: Relation to Seminal Parameters

This study aims to evaluate how varicocele surgery (varicocelectomy) affects the number of immature sperm cells (spermatogenic cells) found in the semen of infertile men. Varicocele, an abnormal dilation of veins in the scrotum, is a common cause of male infertility that can negatively impact semen quality and overall testicular function. While surgery is widely performed to improve standard semen parameters, this study specifically investigates its impact on the shedding of immature germ cells into the seminal fluid, which can be an indicator of impaired sperm production.

Researchers will enroll 40 infertile married men, aged 20 to 45, who have been diagnosed with a clinical varicocele and exhibit abnormal semen parameters. All participants will undergo a single surgical intervention known as a subinguinal microsurgical varicocelectomy. To measure the effects of the surgery, participants will undergo careful semen analysis before the procedure, and again at 3 and 6 months postoperatively. The primary goal is to track changes in the spermatogenic cell count and abnormal sperm morphology, and to explore how these changes correlate with conventional semen parameters like sperm concentration, motility, and vitality.

Study Overview

Status

Not yet recruiting

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

Male factor infertility contributes as the sole factor in approximately 20-25% of infertile couples. While semen analysis remains the cornerstone for evaluating male infertility , conventional parameters may not fully reflect underlying functional and molecular alterations. Varicocele, characterized by abnormal dilatation and tortuosity of the pampiniform venous plexus, is one of the most common correctable causes of male infertility. The pathological changes associated with varicocele can adversely affect the seminiferous epithelium, leading to defective spermatogenesis and an increased sloughing of immature germ cells (spermatogenic cells) into the seminal fluid. According to World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations, the presence of these spermatogenic cells is clinically relevant as it reflects impaired spermatogenesis and testicular dysfunction.

This prospective interventional study aims to evaluate changes in seminal spermatogenic cell counts and conventional semen parameters following surgical correction. Participants will undergo a subinguinal microsurgical varicocelectomy. During the procedure, the spermatic cord is delivered and examined under 5-10X microscopic magnification. The internal spermatic artery is carefully identified, utilizing an intraoperative USG probe if necessary, and dissected free of surrounding structures. Internal spermatic veins and cremasteric veins are ligated, while testicular arteries, cremasteric arteries, lymphatic vessels, and the vas deferens are preserved.

To assess the surgical outcomes, semen samples will be collected after 3-5 days of sexual abstinence preoperatively (at least a week apart, utilizing the second sample) and postoperatively at 3 and 6 months. The differentiation of seminal round cells into leukocytes and spermatogenic cells will be conducted using combined morphological and enzymatic methods. Semen smears will be stained with Papanicolaou stain and examined under light microscopy to identify spermatogenic cells based on nuclear morphological features. A peroxidase (Endtz) test will concurrently be used to differentiate peroxidase-positive leukocytes from peroxidase-negative spermatogenic cells. The spermatogenic cell concentration will be quantified using a Neubauer hemocytometer according to the WHO 2021 manual equation.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

40

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Infertile married males diagnosed with clinical varicocele.
  • Age between 20-45 years.
  • Patients indicated for varicocelectomy according to standard clinical guidelines.
  • Abnormal or suboptimal semen parameters on at least two semen analyses.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Azoospermic patients (complete absence of sperm in semen).
  • History of previous varicocelectomy or scrotal surgery.
  • Presence of other known causes of infertility (e.g., genetic abnormalities, obstructive azoospermia).
  • Active genital infection or systemic infection affecting semen analysis.
  • Use of medications affecting spermatogenesis within the last 3 months (e.g., testosterone, chemotherapy).
  • Chronic systemic diseases known to affect fertility (e.g., uncontrolled diabetes, liver failure).
  • Severe leukocytospermia as confirmed by peroxidase (Endtz) test exceeding WHO reference limits.
  • Pus cell > 1 million/ml by peroxidase.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: N/A
  • Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Microsurgical Varicocelectomy
Infertile married males aged 20-45 with clinical varicocele and abnormal semen parameters will form a single study arm. All participants will undergo a subinguinal microsurgical varicocelectomy. The surgical technique involves opening the spermatic fasciae under microscopic magnification (up to 10X), identifying and preserving the internal spermatic artery, and ligating the internal spermatic and cremasteric veins. Semen analysis, including spermatogenic cell quantification using combined morphological and enzymatic methods, will be conducted preoperatively and at 3 and 6 months postoperatively.
Procedure: Subinguinal Microsurgical Varicocelectomy
A 3-4 cm subinguinal incision will be made below the external ring. Under 5-10X microscopic magnification, the internal spermatic artery will be identified and preserved. The internal spermatic veins and cremasteric veins, with the exception of vasal veins, will be ligated. The testicular arteries, cremasteric arteries, cremaster muscle fibers, nerves, lymphatic vessels, and vas deferens will be preserved before the spermatic cord is returned and the incision is closed.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Change in Seminal Spermatogenic Cell Count
Time Frame: Preoperatively, and at 3 and 6 months postoperatively.
Spermatogenic cell concentration will be quantified using a Neubauer hemocytometer and expressed as x10⁶ cells/mL.
Preoperatively, and at 3 and 6 months postoperatively.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Change in Sperm Concentration
Time Frame: Preoperatively, and at 3 and 6 months postoperatively.
The change in sperm concentration will be analyzed and measured in 10⁶/ml according to the World Health Organization (WHO) Laboratory Manual.
Preoperatively, and at 3 and 6 months postoperatively.

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Assiut University

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Estimated)

August 1, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

August 1, 2027

Study Completion (Estimated)

September 1, 2027

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

June 28, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

June 28, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

July 6, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

July 6, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

June 28, 2026

Last Verified

June 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • Varicocelectomy & Semen Cells

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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