Varicocele and male infertility: current concepts and future perspectives

scientists alike because it revisits the effect of varicocele on conventional semen parameters in the face of the latest (fifth) edition of the World Health Organization (WHO) manual for the laboratory examination of human semen. 7 As readers may be well aware of, the newest WHO manual not only changed the reference values for interpreting semen analysis results but also updated the methods for conducting such analyses. Marmar, whose seminal work on subinguinal microsurgical varicocelectomy lead to a paradigm shift in the way we now treat varicoceles, compiled a historical review of varicocele surgery. 10 Two original articles were included; one presenting novel findings of an association between proteomics signatures in infertile men with clinical varicocele and sperm mitochondrial dysfunction, 3 and another commenting on the usefulness of antegrade scrotal sclerotherapy as an alternative method for varicocele treatment to the commonly used open surgical repair. 12 In addition, six commentary articles written by experts with vast clinical experience discuss challenging clinical conditions faced by health care practitioners dealing with males with varicocele. 21–26 Furthermore, opportune is the review of Chiles and Schlegel, which provides a critical appraisal of the cost-effectiveness of varicocele surgery in the era of ART. 27 This Special Issue of Asian Journal of Andrology includes a multinational authoritative review, including 19 institutions across 12 countries about how to track research impact by selecting the appropriate metrics. 28 In the years to come, it will be interesting to learn how these various bibliometrics reflect the impact of this Special Issue of Asian Journal of Andrology. Equally interesting will be to know if the predictions of Lamb and Lipshultz's group come true with regards to T his Special Issue of Asian Journal of Andrology is fully dedicated to the thematic area of Varicocele, which has been one of the most controversial issues in the field of Urology, Andrology, and Reproductive Medicine. Recognized as a clinical entity for over a century, varicocele from Latin: varix (dilated vein) and from Greek: kele (tumor) still elicits heated debate among scientists and clinicians on an arguable negative effect on male fertility and gonadal function and has fueled thousands of scholarly articles since its first report in the 18 th century. Varicocele and Male Infertility: Current Concepts and Future Perspectives contains the seminal work of renowned scientists and clinicians from 15 countries on five continents. In 29 chapters, comprehensive reviews on the pathophysiology, 1–3 …