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Review
. 2017 Sep;108(3):364-369.
doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2017.06.036.

Varicoceles: prevalence and pathogenesis in adult men

Raul I Clavijo  1 , Robert Carrasquillo  1 , Ranjith Ramasamy  2
Affiliations
Free article
Review

Varicoceles: prevalence and pathogenesis in adult men

Raul I Clavijo et al. Fertil Steril. 2017 Sep.
Free article

Abstract

Varicocele, or dilation of the pampiniform venous plexus, affects up to 15% of men. However, few of these men encounter problems with fertility. This discrepancy between men with varicocele and the number of adversely affected men has led to abundant research to identify the mechanisms for formation of varicocele as well as the pathologic mechanisms by which varicoceles affect fertility potential. In this review, we discuss the prevalence of varicocele in adults, the anatomic features of varicocele, the leading theories as to how varicocele can negatively affect fertility potential, and finally, the current literature on the impact of varicocele on testosterone production.

Keywords: Infertility; reactive oxygen species; spermatic vein; testosterone; varicocele.

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