Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40457181›Full record

ReviewBasic and clinical andrology2025

From imaging techniques to laboratory tests: a multimodal stratification for varicocele-associated decreased semen quality.

Anmin Wang, Hongyuan Chang, Dicheng Luo, Hao Wang, Hui Lv, Wenxiao Yu, Fu Wang

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Basic and clinical andrology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Anmin WangDepartment of Andrology, Xiyuan Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100091, China.
Hongyuan ChangDepartment of Andrology, Xiyuan Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100091, China.
Dicheng LuoDepartment of Andrology, Xiyuan Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100091, China.
Hao WangDepartment of Andrology, Xiyuan Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100091, China.
Hui LvDepartment of Andrology, Xiyuan Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100091, China.
Wenxiao YuDepartment of Andrology, Xiyuan Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100091, China. yuwenxiao2019@163.com.
Fu WangDepartment of Andrology, Xiyuan Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100091, China. fu311306@163.com.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundVaricocele adversely affects male fertility by impairing semen quality, yet there remains no unified approach that combines advanced imaging and laboratory markers for clinical stratification. To develop a uniform clinical stratification system, we conducted a review of the literature across major databases.

resultsShear wave elastography thresholds above 5.235 kPa and spermatic vein diameters exceeding 2.5 mm on color Doppler ultrasound demonstrated strong, independent correlations with decreased sperm concentration, motility, and morphology. Among laboratory tests, elevated follicle-stimulating hormone, low inhibin B, and others were consistently linked to poorer semen quality. Biomarkers such as cysteine-rich secretory protein 3 showed potential.

conclusionsWe propose a multimodal stratification framework integrating evidence‑based cutoffs for shear wave elastography and color Doppler ultrasound with key laboratory indices. Adoption of standardized protocols and consensus guidelines will facilitate personalized diagnosis, improve prognostic accuracy, and guide management of varicocele‑decreased semen quality.

Indexed as

Assessment toolsColor Doppler ultrasoundImaging techniquesSemen qualityUltrasound elastographyVaricocele

Identifiers

PMID40457181
PMCPMC12128344

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.