High educational level associated with reduced semen quality in men with asymptomatic varicocele testis

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between education, intelligence, varicocele testis and semen quality. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Of 542 newly-enlisted soldiers (median age 20 years, range 20-24) 47 men were found who had varicocele testis. Semen quality was assessed in 39 of the men with a varicocele and compared with a similar group with no varicocele. The educational level and intelligence of both groups was also assessed and compared. RESULTS: There was a significantly reduced quality of semen in men with varicoceles and in men with > 10 years of school education. There was no significant relationship between intelligence level and semen quality. CONCLUSIONS: The assumption that there is a relationship between educational level and semen quality in men with asymptomatic varicocele seems well-founded, and educational level should therefore be considered as an explanatory variable in future investigations; studies are also required to provide a biological explanation of this phenomenon.