A Preliminary Study: N-acetyl-L-cysteine Improves Semen Quality following Varicocelectomy.

Background: Surgery is considered the primary treatment for male infertility from clinical varicocele. One of the main events associated with varicocele is excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC), an antioxidant that scavenges free radicals, is considered a supplement to alleviate glutathione (GSH) depletion during oxidative stress.

DNA hypomethylation predisposes sperm to DNA damage in individuals with varicocele.

This study aimed to assess and compare global DNA methylation (GDM) between fertile men and infertile men with varicocele. In addition, we evaluated the correlations between DNA methylation with reactive oxygen species (ROS), protamine deficiency, and DNA integrity. Semen samples were collected from 44 men with grades II and III varicocele, and 15 fertile men for assessment of semen parameters, DNA methylation, DNA fragmentation, oxidative stress, and protamine deficiency.