The hormonal pattern in varicocele and its relationship with the findings of testicular biopsy: preliminary results

Summary— In 26 patients with varicocele, measurements of plasma follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinising hormone (LH), testosterone (T) and oestradiol2 (E2) were made; pre-operative and post-operative sperm counts, dynamic stimulation tests with HCG and clomiphene, and testicular biopsies including light microscopy, morphometry, and ultrastructural study in 4 cases, were also performed. A correlation was found between the hormonal pattern and testicular morphology.