Pituitary gonadal dysfunction in adolescents with varicocele.

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone stimulation testing was performed on 104 adolescent males with a unilateral left varicocele to determine the frequency of testicular dysfunction in this group of patients. An abnormal test result was noted in approximately 30 percent of varicocele patients. We believe that an abnormal test result indicates a higher risk for future fertility problems, and early treatment may reduce this risk.