PURPOSE:Surgical repair of varicocele has long been a procedure to correct spermatogenesis. However, the outcome has been reported to be inadequate. We combined varicocelectomy with supplement therapy to evaluate the concurrent effect of these procedures. METHODS: A prospective randomized controlled study was undertaken to investigate the effects of zinc sulfate, folic acid and zinc sulfate/folic acid on sperm quality, protamine content and acrosomal integrity following surgical repair of varicocele. Male subjects with palpable varicocele were included in the study and randomized into four groups. Subjects received Zinc sulfate, Folic acid, Zinc sulfate/Folic acid or placebo for 6 months. A semen sample was obtained before surgery and 3 and 6 months after surgical repair. Semen samples were evaluated for sperm parameters as well as chromatin content and acrosomal integrity. RESULTS: Most of the evaluated parameters showed a mild improvement after varicocelectomy in the placebo group. Interestingly, co-administration of Zinc sulfate and folic acid improved most factors significantly. Folic acid administration but not zinc sulfate could increase sperm number. Hence, Zinc sulfate was better than folic acid when change in morphology was assessed, and none of them was significantly effective in sperm motility. In Zinc sulfate and Folic acid groups, protamine content and halo formation rate significantly improved. CONCLUSIONS: We may conclude that co-administration of zinc and folic acid significantly improved sperm parameters and increased varicocelectomy outcomes. So, medical treatment with compatible drugs after surgery might be advantageous for obtaining acceptable results.
RCT Entities:
PURPOSE: Surgical repair of varicocele has long been a procedure to correct spermatogenesis. However, the outcome has been reported to be inadequate. We combined varicocelectomy with supplement therapy to evaluate the concurrent effect of these procedures. METHODS: A prospective randomized controlled study was undertaken to investigate the effects of zinc sulfate, folic acid and zinc sulfate/folic acid on sperm quality, protamine content and acrosomal integrity following surgical repair of varicocele. Male subjects with palpable varicocele were included in the study and randomized into four groups. Subjects received Zinc sulfate, Folic acid, Zinc sulfate/Folic acid or placebo for 6 months. A semen sample was obtained before surgery and 3 and 6 months after surgical repair. Semen samples were evaluated for sperm parameters as well as chromatin content and acrosomal integrity. RESULTS: Most of the evaluated parameters showed a mild improvement after varicocelectomy in the placebo group. Interestingly, co-administration of Zinc sulfate and folic acid improved most factors significantly. Folic acid administration but not zinc sulfate could increase sperm number. Hence, Zinc sulfate was better than folic acid when change in morphology was assessed, and none of them was significantly effective in sperm motility. In Zinc sulfate and Folic acid groups, protamine content and halo formation rate significantly improved. CONCLUSIONS: We may conclude that co-administration of zinc and folic acid significantly improved sperm parameters and increased varicocelectomy outcomes. So, medical treatment with compatible drugs after surgery might be advantageous for obtaining acceptable results.
Authors: Wai Yee Wong; Hans M W M Merkus; Chris M G Thomas; Roelof Menkveld; Gerhard A Zielhuis; Régine P M Steegers-Theunissen Journal: Fertil Steril Date: 2002-03 Impact factor: 7.329
Authors: Enrique F Schisterman; Lindsey A Sjaarda; Traci Clemons; Douglas T Carrell; Neil J Perkins; Erica Johnstone; Denise Lamb; Kayla Chaney; Bradley J Van Voorhis; Ginny Ryan; Karen Summers; Jim Hotaling; Jared Robins; James L Mills; Pauline Mendola; Zhen Chen; Elizabeth A DeVilbiss; C Matthew Peterson; Sunni L Mumford Journal: JAMA Date: 2020-01-07 Impact factor: 56.272
Authors: Wiep de Ligny; Roos M Smits; Rebecca Mackenzie-Proctor; Vanessa Jordan; Kathrin Fleischer; Jan Peter de Bruin; Marian G Showell Journal: Cochrane Database Syst Rev Date: 2022-05-04
Authors: Enrique F Schisterman; Traci Clemons; C Matthew Peterson; Erica Johnstone; Ahmad O Hammoud; Denise Lamb; Douglas T Carrell; Neil J Perkins; Lindsey A Sjaarda; Bradley J Van Voorhis; Ginny Ryan; Karen Summers; Bruce Campbell; Jared Robins; Kayla Chaney; James L Mills; Pauline Mendola; Zhen Chen; Elizabeth A DeVilbiss; Sunni L Mumford Journal: Am J Epidemiol Date: 2020-01-31 Impact factor: 4.897
Authors: Roos M Smits; Rebecca Mackenzie-Proctor; Anusch Yazdani; Marcin T Stankiewicz; Vanessa Jordan; Marian G Showell Journal: Cochrane Database Syst Rev Date: 2019-03-14