effects of experimental unilateral vasectomy on testicular structure in the rat

ABSTRACT

In order to find out the effects of vasectomy on testicular structure, twelve mature male Dawley rats were undergone left vasectomy. Sixty-two days after the surgery, all rats were euthanized and both the testes of each rat were examined at the level of light microscope. Formation of spermatic granuloma [7/12, 58.3%] and atrophy of seminiferous tubular epithelium [6/12, 50%] were the most prominent microscopic changes. These findings were probably attributed to the hydrostatic pressure caused by semen retention as well as pressure caused by granuloma produced. The authors suggest that failure to regain fertility following vasectomy-reversal was probably related to the detrimental changes in testicular structure