Steroid Metabolites, Serotonin and Jnterleuldn-6 Estimation in Intental spermatic Vein in Varicocele Patients: A Controlled Study

Abstract

' Varicocele Is a major cause of primary infertility. Varicocele is an

abnonnal dilatation of the pampinifonn plexus of veins resulting from absence or incompetence of the valves of the internal spennatic vein with subsequent retrograde venous flow.

The mechanism by which varicocele affects fertility remains unclear and various possibilities continue to be discussed. Reduced testicular perfusion of the affected testis because of increased venous pressure leading to atrophy with typical reduction in testicular volume was suggested by some investigators. Renal/adrenal reflux is another possible mechanism that could explain the effect of varicocele on fertility.

Various studies have been perfonned exammmg the potential differences between serum concentration of various substances in the internal spennatic vem and the peripheral venous blood (e.g. catecholamines, cortisol, prostaglandins and serotonin) but the results were controvesial. •• IL-6 is a multifunctional cytoki:ne produced by various cell types.

Elevated level of IL-6 have been observed in a munber of pathological conditions.