Study on the expression of androgen receptor in vascular smooth muscle cells of the internal spermatic veins and serum testosterone levels in patients with varicocele

doi:10.3877/cma.j.issn.1674-3253.2026.01.009

Abstract

Abstract:

Objective

To investigate whether the positive expression levels of androgen receptor (AR) were different between the internal spermatic veins vascular smooth muscle cells in patients with varicocele (VC) and that of normal internal spermatic veins vascular smooth muscle cells in the control group without VC, and whether there were differences of the serum testosterone (ST) level between VC groups and control group. To provide a theoretical basis for further exploring the pathogenesis and treatment of VC.

Methods

From December 2009 to January 2025, 58 left internal spermatic veins of patients with VC (grade Ⅱ group 28, grade Ⅲ group 30) and 26 normal left internal spermatic veins of males without VC, as well as the ST level of each study subject were collected. The AR positive ratio (APR) of the internal spermatic veins vascular smooth muscle cells was detected by immunohistochemistry.The level of ST was detected by chemiluminescent immunoassay. The APR and ST were compared and analyzed in three groups.

Results

The APR of the internal spermatic veins vascular smooth muscle cells in VC groups (grade Ⅱ group, grade Ⅲ group) were significantly lower than that of the control group (P<0.05), the APR of the internal spermatic veins vascular smooth muscle cells in VC III group was significantly lower than that of VC II group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference of ST levels between three groups (P>0.05).

Conclusion

VC did not affect the ST level of the patients. The APR in internal spermatic veins vascular smooth muscle cells of patients with VC was significantly lower than that of controls without VC, and there was a significant negative correlation with the severity of VC.

Key words: Varicocele, Testosterone, Androgen receptor

Xinjie Lin, Yiqun Zheng, Jialuo Su, Jie Kong, Yizhou Deng, Haoxin Lei. Study on the expression of androgen receptor in vascular smooth muscle cells of the internal spermatic veins and serum testosterone levels in patients with varicocele[J]. Chinese Journal of Endourology(Electronic Edition), 2026, 20(01): 65-70.

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References 27

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组别	例数	年龄（岁）	ST（ng/dL）	APR（%）
VCⅡ级组	28	22.89±4.46^*	441.50±34.99	33.86±2.25^*
VCⅢ级组	30	21.47±3.86^*	432.74±32.06	21.37±1.80^*#
对照组	26	33.69±5.44	434.58±31.94	60.70±4.11
F值		57.370	0.557	1376.513
P值		<0.001	0.575	<0.001

组别	例数	年龄（岁）	ST（ng/dL）	APR（%）
VCⅡ级组	28	22.89±4.46^*	441.50±34.99	33.86±2.25^*
VCⅢ级组	30	21.47±3.86^*	432.74±32.06	21.37±1.80^*#
对照组	26	33.69±5.44	434.58±31.94	60.70±4.11
F值		57.370	0.557	1376.513
P值		<0.001	0.575	<0.001

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