| خلاصه مقاله | Varicocele is one of the common causes of male infertility, in which the alteration of the
temperature regulation system in the pampiniform plexus and the increase in reactive oxygen
species (ROS) levels damage sperm cells through lipid peroxidation. It is believed that altering the
duration of sperm presence in the epididymis can prevent damage from ROS in the epididymis and
improve sperm quality. Semen samples were obtained from 25 patients with grade I varicocele.
After liquefaction, the volume, concentration, morphology, and sperm motility were assessed
according to the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. Viability and sperm morphology
were examined using eosin staining and Diff-Quik staining, respectively. Sperm DNA
fragmentation index (DFI) was evaluated using the Halosperm test. Finally, the sperm lipid profile
was analyzed by gas chromatography to determine the levels of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty
acids.Findings: The results indicated that semen volume, sperm count, and concentration
significantly decreased with a reduction in sexual abstinence to 4 hours. Comparing sperm motility
between the two groups showed significantly higher non-progressive motility in samples with 4-
hour abstinence compared to those with 3-day abstinence. However, no significant differences
were observed between the groups in terms of progressive motility and sperm morphology.
Additionally, viability and DNA fragmentation index (DFI) improved with 4-hour sexual
abstinence compared to 3-day abstinence. Analysis of the sperm lipid profile revealed no
significant differences in the levels of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids between the two
abstinence periods.Conclusion: Reducing sexual abstinence to 4 hours can improve sperm
parameters in men with grade I varicocele-related infertility. These findings assist embryologists
in optimizing the timing of assisted reproductive treatments for varicocele patients by determining
an appropriate abstinence period to achieve high-quality sperm |