Testicular function in varicocele.

Testicular testosterone concentration serum testosterone, LH and FSH, sperm count and testicular histology were evaluated in 17 patients with varicocele. Testicular testosterone was either normal or high (mean 906 +/- 723 ng/g of tissue), and serum testosterone was within the normal range in most patients. Serum LH was elevated in half of the patients. The degree of testicular damage observed was extremely variable and correlated with sperm analysis. Testicular testosterone tended to be higher in patients with severe microscopic lesions of the testis. It is concluded that even though Leydig cell function is partially altered, this deficiency is compensated by LH stimulation and therefore, failure of spermatogenesis is not secondary to low testosterone levels.