To investigate the correlation between varicocele and sex hormone and penis development in adolescent boys.

Retrospectively, 102 adolescent boys receiving semen examination in our hospital were recruited in this study from September 2018 to May 2020. According to the varicocele diagnosis and the degree of varicocele, they were divided into control group (no varicocele) with 24 cases, degree Ⅰ varicocele group with 35 cases, degree Ⅱ varicocele group with 25 cases and degree Ⅲ varicocele group with 18 cases. Then the baseline data including BMI and penis development were compared between the four groups. Then we analyzed the difference of serum sex hormone and sperm development between the four groups.

Compared with control group and degree Ⅰ varicocele group, the participants in degree Ⅲ groups had lower BMI level and penis length(P<0.05). There was no difference of luteinizing hormone(LH) levels between the four groups(P>0.05). By contrast with control group, follicle stimulating hormone(FSH) and estradiol(E2)level in degree Ⅱ and degree Ⅲ varicocele groups were higher(P<0.05). The PRL level in degree Ⅲ varicocele group was higher than that of control group with lower T level(P<0.05). Compared with the control group, abnormal semen liquefaction, decreased sperm motility, decreased sperm count and abnormal sperm were higher in degree Ⅰ, Ⅱ and Ⅲ varicose groups(P<0.05), the proportions of abnormal semen pH, decreased sperm count and abnormal sperm were higher in degree Ⅱ and Ⅲ varicose groups(P<0.05). At the same time, the proportions mentioned above increased with the severe degree progression of varicocele.

Adolescent patients with degree Ⅲ varicocele may be accompanied by low body weight and poor external genital development, and the possibility of abnormal sex hormone levels and semen in adolescent varicocele is significantly increased with the development of the disease.

Varicocele; Adolescent; Sex Hormone