Abstract: The objective was to explore the mechanism of the testicle dysfunction-infertility derived from varicocele. Varicocele models in rabbits were used to observe the changes of LPO contents and cAMP levels in testis tissue, sperm volumes, sperm density and its relationships. Testis LPO contents of left and right sides in VCG were significantly higher than that in SOG; cAMP levels of bilateral sides in VCG were much lower than that in SOG; the sperm density of VCG was much lower than that of SOG; but there was no difference in sperm volumes between VCG and SOG; there was a negative correlation between LPO contents and cAMP levels, and a notable positive correlation between cAMP levels and sperm density. The higher level of lipid peroxidation in the testicle tissue of varicocele caused the decrease of cAMP levels in the cells, which couldn't carry on efficiently the normal metabolism of function, especially the spermatogenesis, and did direct damage to the germ cells of the testes, resulting in the sper-matogenous disorder of the testes.

Key words: varicocele, reactive oxygen species, cAMP, spermatogenesis