Increased expression of endothelin-1 and its receptors in varicocele: an immunohistochemical study

We hypothesized that diminished endothelin 1 (ET-1) expression at the spermatic vein wall level might be responsible for the development of varicocele. However, immunohistochemical evaluation of spermatic and control vein samples from 55 patients with varicocele showed overexpression of ET-1 and its receptors ETA and ETB in varicose veins.