Proliferating cell nuclear antigen in testes of infertile men with varicocele--preliminary results of interrelationship with sperm count before and after varicocelectomy.

Objective: This study was conducted to assess germ cell kinetics and correlate them with sperm counts before and after varicocelectomy. Material and Methods: Forty-three testicular biopsy specimens were obtained from 47 patients with varicocele during varicocelectomy. Similar specimens were obtained from 8 fertile volunteers. All specimens were immunostained using anti-proliferating cell nuclear antigen (anti-PCNA) antibody. PCNA expression was evaluated by assessing its staining intensity (SI) and labeling index (LI). Results: The varicocele specimens revealed significantly lower SI and LI than the controls. There was a significant correlation between initial sperm concentration and LI but not SI. Coexistence of LI S 31 and preoperative sperm count >1 million/ml correlated with a significant rise in the postoperative sperm count. Conclusions: PCNA is a useful molecular marker for assessing germ cell kinetics in varicocele patients. The decline in DNA synthesis, as suggested by the lower PCNA SI and LI...