E Ghajari - Department of Clinical Biochemis try, Fasa University of MedicalSciences, Fasa, Iran . Department of Animal Biotechnology, Reproductive BiomedicineResearch Center, Royan Ins titute for Biotechnology, ACECR, Isfahan,Iran
MH Meshkibaf - Department of Clinical Biochemis try, Fasa University of MedicalSciences, Fasa, Iran
M Tavalaee - Department of Animal Biotechnology, Reproductive BiomedicineResearch Center, Royan Ins titute for Biotechnology, ACECR, Isfahan,Iran
MH Nasr-Esfahani - Department of Animal Biotechnology, Reproductive BiomedicineResearch Center, Royan Ins titute for Biotechnology, ACECR, Isfahan,Iran

Background: Infertility is one of the common global problemsthat affect a population of about ۱۰-۱۵% of couples. Ofall infertility cases, approximately ۴۰–۵۰% of infertility is dueto male factors. Varicocele, abnormal dilation of the scrotalvenous pampiniform plexus, is known as the mos t importantcause of male infertility. The increased tes ticular temperature inthis condition can lead to decreased spermatogenesis and spermproduction. Therefore, in this s tudy, we aimed to assess the effectof varicocele induction on sperm parameters, chromatins tructure, and, oxidative s tatus in Wis tar rats.Materials and Methods: This s tudy was performed on ۲۰ maleWis tar rats. The rats were classified into ۲ groups: control(C)and induced-varicocele(V). After ۲ months, rats were sacrificedand the left epididymis and tes tis were used for evaluation ofsperm parameters, sperm DNA damage (Acridine orange s taining),chromatin maturation (Chromomycin A۳, and aniline blues taining), sperm lipid peroxidation (Bodipy probe assay), andtes ticular lipid peroxidation (Malondialdehyde assay) levels.All the parameters were compared between two groups by independent-samples t tes t. A p-value less than was considereds tatis tically significant.Results: Mean of sperm concentration and motility were significantlylower in varicocele induction group than control group(P<۰.۰۱). In addition, mean percentage of sperm abnormal morphologywas significantly higher in varicocele induction groupthan control group (P<۰.۰۵). Regarding sperm functional tes ts,mean of sperm DNA damage, protamine deficiency, persis tencehis tone, and lipid peroxidation were significantly higher in varicoceleinduction group than control group (P<۰.۰۰۱). Furthermore,the tes ticular lipid peroxidation level was significantly higher invaricocele induction group than control group (P<۰.۰۰۱).Conclusion: According to these results, we demons trated thatvaricocele s tatus is associated with high levels of oxidatives tress, and consequently a decrease in sperm quality. Antioxidanttherapy or varicocelectomy surgery seems to be able to help improve this condition

Oxidative S tress, Sperm Parameters, Varicocele Induction