Background: A varicocele is abnormal dilation and enlargement of the scrotal venous pampiniform plexus which drains blood from each testicle. While usually painless, varicoceles are clinically significant because they are the most commonly identified cause of infertility. The severe damage caused by varicocele is correlated with impaired function of sertoli cells. AMH has been proposed as a direct marker of Sertoli cell function and an indirect marker of spermatogenesis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the serum level of antimullerian hormone in varicocele patients before and after varicocelectomy and assessment of its relation to semen parameters and varicocele grade. Methods: This study was conducted on thirty varicocele patients and twenty age and sex matched healthy volunteers as controls. Results: There was non significant difference was noted between patients and control groups as regards age. Varicocele grade showed significant improvement post-operative. Before varicocelectomy, sperm count and motility was significantly lower in patients than control. In contrast, abnormal forms was significantly higher in patients than control. The mean sperm count and motility significantly increased after than before varicocelectomy. In contrast, abnormal forms significantly declined after than before varicocelectomy. AMH level in patients before varicocelectomy was significantly lower than in controls while after varicocelectomy AMH level increased. Before varicocelectomy, AMH level showed a significant negative correlation with varicocele grade and abnormal forms. After varicocelectomy, AMH level showed a significant positive correlation with sperm count. Conclusion: The study confirmed that AMH decrease in varicocele patients and increase after surgical repair compared to controls. |
