Post Date December, 03 2023
Varicocele is a common disease of young and middle-aged men. It refers to the expansion, tortuosity and lengthening of blood vessels in the spermatic cord tendril (venous plexus) caused by blood flow congestion of the spermatic vein. Varicocele can be accompanied by testicular atrophy and spermatogenesis disorders, which can lead to male infertility.
The specific reasons for infertility caused by varicocele include:
1. Nutritional disorders:
The blood circulation of the testis and epididymis is affected due to the stagnation of venous blood flow, and the required nutrition and oxygen are lacking, which will affect sperm production.
2. Elevated scrotal temperature:
After varicocele, due to the stagnation of blood flow in the spermatic vein, the temperature in the scrotum will gradually rise, with an average of 0.6 ℃ higher than normal height, thus affecting spermatogenesis.
3. Testicular endocrine dysfunction:
Due to an increase in local temperature within the scrotum and insufficient blood and oxygen supply to the testes, it is inevitable that the endocrine function of interstitial cells in the seminiferous tubules of the testes will be affected, thereby affecting sperm production.
4. The destructive effect of oxygen free radicals:
Research has shown that when varicocele occurs, oxygen free radicals in testicular tissue increase and lipid peroxidation worsens, thereby affecting sperm development and sperm function.
5. Blood stasis, damage to testicles:
Blood flow stasis and small vessel embolism in the testicles and epididymis can lead to hypoxia and carbon dioxide accumulation in the tissues, damaging the testicular spermatogenic epithelium, and naturally reducing the birth quantity and quality of sperm.
6. Toxic effects:
Because there are abundant collateral circulation between spermatic vein and testicular vein, when varicocele occurs, it will lead to blood reflux, which can flow the high concentration toxic metabolites carried in the left adrenal gland and left renal venous blood into bilateral testes before detoxification, resulting in interference of sperm production, formation of different degrees of sperm oligozoospermia, morphological abnormalities and dyskinesia.
Experts have carefully analyzed the harm of varicocele to male fertility. When symptoms of varicocele appear, go to the hospital for examination and treatment in a timely manner, do not have too much psychological burden, maintain a good mood, and achieve early prevention, detection, and treatment.
