MedTrace Logo

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

NCT00044369 · Status: COMPLETED · Type: OBSERVATIONAL · Enrollment: 400

Last updated 2006-09-04

No results posted yet for this study

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

PROCEDURE

Varicocele repair

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)

    lead NIH

Principal Investigators

  • Susan H Benoff, PhD · North Shore University Hospital

Eligibility

Min Age
21 Years
Max Age
55 Years
Sex
MALE
Healthy Volunteers
Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2000-05-31
Completion
2005-04-30

Countries

  • United States

Study Locations

More Related Trials

Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT00044369 on ClinicalTrials.gov