Protective Effects of Antioxidants on Testicular Functions of Varicocelized Rats

Left varicocele detrimentally affects spermatogenesis and the epididymal sperm maturation process bilaterally. We analyzed the effect of antioxidants on sperm production and quality in rats which were varicocelized. Non-varicocelized rats served as controls (group A). Left varicocele was done in 5 groups (B, C, D, E and F) of rats of the same age. Antioxidants taurine, catalase or superoxide dismutase were administered intraabdominally twice a week in groups C, D or E, respectively. Group F received taurine, catalase and superoxide dismutase. Groups A and B received a vehicle dose of saline equally. Eight weeks after varicocele induction bilateral epididymal caudal sperm content, motility and fertilizing ability were analyzed. All the parameters were significantly lower in group B than in groups A, C, D, E and F, although the values in group A were higher than in the other groups. Bilateral testicular weight and testosterone responses to human chorionic gonadotropin stimulation were significantly higher in groups A, C, D, E and F than in the group B. There were no significant differences in serum testosterone basal profiles among groups A, B, C, D, E and F. These results indicated the effectiveness of antioxidants for the preservation of testicular function and the epididymal sperm maturation process in varicocelized subjects.