Objective    To study the effect of varicocele(VC) on the expressions of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α(HIF-1α)  and apoptosis-associated gene Bax in germ cells of adolescent  rats

and investigate the mechanism of the infertility resulting from varicocele.     Methods    The varicocele model was established by partial ligation of the left renal vein in adolescent male Wistar rats. A total of 25 rats were randomly divided into 2 groups

namely varicocele group(n=15) and sham operation group (SOG

n=10). All the animals were killed 30 d after operation. The left testis was collected and the  expression of HIF-1α and Bax was detected by immunohistochemical method.     Results    The expression of HIF-1α and Bax in left testis of varicocele group was significantly higher than that of sham operation group(P0.05) and positive correlation was found between them (r=0.479 2，P0.05）.     Conclusion    Experimental varicocele can change the expression of factor-1α(HIF-1α)  and apoptosis associated gene Bax in germ cells of adolescent rats.