One thousand infertile patients (625 azoospermic, 325 oligozoospermic) were seen in the Department between 1974 and 1984. Of these, one hundred and fifty-four (15.4%) who, on physical examination were found to have normal hormonal levels and no varicocele, were treated with left spermatic vein ligation. One hundred and two of these were azoospermic and 52 oligozoospermic.

An increase of 40.5% in sperm motility and count was determined in oligoasthenospermic patients after left spermatic vein ligation. Similarly, 13 patients (12%) in the azoospermic group showed increased semen quality.

A pregnancy rate of 11.5% was noted, after this procedure, in connection with patients with oligoasthenospermic counts.

In conclusion, it was found that left spermatic vein ligation in oligoasthenospermic patients with normal hormonal levels and without varicocele, increases the semen quality.

Keywords: oligoasthenospermia, spermatic vein ligation, varicocele