Role of autophagy in experimental varicocele: a Review

Abstract

Varicocele (VC) is an abnormal venous dilatation and/or tortuosity of the pampiniform plexus in the scrotum (1). VC is one of the main factors causing male infertility and affects about 15% of all healthy male adults and about35% of patients with primary infertility (2), so it isparticularly important to clarify the pathogenetic mechanism in the course of male infertility. There is no single pathogenetic factor that alone justifies the adverse effects of varicocele on the testes. The pathogenesis of disease is complex and multifactorial, with several proposed mechanisms acting in synergy. Indeed, blood stasis negatively affects spermatogenesis by causing an increase in scrotal temperature (usually below 2°C at body temperature), hypoxic damage (stagnant hypoxia), a reflux of renal and adrenal catabolites, and last a modification of the testicular hormonal balance.

Keywords

• varicocele
• autophagy
• male infertility