Detrimental Effect of Left Varicocele on the Reproductive Capacity of the Early Haploid Male Gamete

PURPOSE: We evaluated the fertilizing capacity of round spermatids recovered from varicocelized rabbits. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A left varicocele model was created in 5 rabbits (Group A). Four rabbits underwent a sham operation (Group B). After 3 months round spermatid nuclei were collected from the left testicle of each rabbit and injected into oocytes. Oocytes were cultured for 24 hours. RESULTS: The proportion of 2- to 4-cell stage embryos to the successfully injected oocytes was significantly lower in group A than in group B (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate a detrimental effect of varicocele on the fertilizing potential of round spermatid.