NCT00044369

Role of the Toxic Metal Cadmium in the Mechanism Producing Infertility With a Varicocele

Increased Testicular Cd2+ & Infertility With Varicocele ( a Varicose Vein in the Scrotum)

• Status: Completed
• Phase: —
• Study type: Observational
• Enrollment: 400 (planned)
• Sponsor: National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) · NIH
• Sex: Male
• Age: 21 Years – 55 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

Varicose veins in the scrotum (varicocele) are responsible for \>20% of male infertility in the US. Varicocele are associated with decreased sperm number and markedly reduced sperm fertilizing ability. Surgical repair or removal of varicocele restores fertility in only 1/3 of cases. The goal of this study is to identify markers that predict the outcome of variocele correction. This would offer considerable health cost savings. Based on preliminary findings, we will obtain testis biopsies and semen specimens from infertile men with varicocele and prospectively examining the levels of cadmium, a toxic metal, and expression of genes required for normal sperm function. The semen and biopsies will be obtained during clinically dictated procedures. Cadmium and gene expression will be compared with response to varicocele repair (i.e., increased sperm production; pregnancy).

Conditions

• Varicocele
• Male Infertility
• Hypospermatogenesis
• Non-Obstructive Azoospermia

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
PROCEDURE	Varicocele repair

Timeline

• Start date: 2000-05-01
• Completion: 2005-04-01
• First posted: 2002-08-28
• Last updated: 2006-09-04

Locations

2 sites across 1 country: United States