The Varicocele: Elevated Serotonin and Infertility

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Serotonin is toxic to testicular function. In a series of canine studies serotonin was elevated in both spermatic veins after creation of a varicocele by partial ligation of the left renal vein. Consecutive infertile male patients (42) with a palpable varicocele and a seminal stress pattern had peripheral and spermatic vein serotonin levels determined at the time of high spermatic vein ligation. Of these, 27 (64%) had spermatic vein serotonin levels equal to or greater than peripheral levels. These patients demonstrated significantly lower sperm motility, percentage of live sperm and elevated percentages of immature and tapered sperm forms compared to those patients with lower spermatic vein serotonin levels. The interrelationship among the varicocele, premature sloughing of immature sperm and serotonin are discussed.