Urology
Pathophysiology
There are a number of theories that have been proposed in an attempt to explain the adverse effect of a varicocele on the associated testis. The most common and widely held theory is that regarding scrotal temperature. The presence of a varicocele is associated with elevated scrotal and testicular temperature, which in turn alters spermatogenesis. There are other potential theories for abnormal testicular function associated with varicocele. However, the finding of improvement of both testicular size and testicular function when the varicocele is interrupted lends credence to the hypothermia concept.
