The evaluation of sperm DNA damage in patients with different varicocele grades

Abstract

Aim: Varicocele, abnormal dilatation of pampiniform venous plexus, is classified into three groups: 1st, 2nd and 3rd grade. The aim of our research is to show the differences among the three different varicocele grades based on the results of their sperm DNA damage and blood biochemical parameters. Methods: We examined 30 patients which were classified into three groups: Group 1 (healthy), Group 2 (grades 1 and 2) and Group 3 (grade 3). The semen samples were examined in terms of DNA damage via comet assay. The blood samples were assessed using catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzyme activities and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. Results: According to the comet findings, Group 2 and Group 3 parameters were significantly higher than Group 1 (p < 0.01). In the biochemical findings, we observed decreased CAT and SOD activities and an increased MDA level for Group 2 and Group 3. In our research, we showed that grades 1 and 2 had significant DNA damage in terms of infertility as much as grade 3. Conclusion: The results we derived indicate that the detection of DNA damage could be used as a predictor of infertility alongside routine semen and morphological analysis.