The human vas-its lumen in relation with age and neuromuscular transmitters.

ABSTRACT

Specimens of human was deferens were obtained during elective surgery under local analsthesia. The internal diameter of the vas lumen was measured by means of set of rods of 0.10 mm diameter increments. These measurements were made within 5 minutes of the removal of vas and noted as control values. The effect of its immersion in epinephrine 1/1000, nor-epinephrine 1/1000 and acetylcholine 1/1000 on diameter of lumen was determined. The mean diameter of vas lumen in saline was 0.83 +/- .09 mm in subjects of 29 to 32 years age and 0.89 +/- .009 mm in subject of 33 to 48 years. This value was significantly lower in subjects of 49 to 52 years (0.69 +/- .06 mm). The lumen diameter decreased significantly in response to epinephrine and nor epinephrine and increased when the vas was immersed in acetylcholine. The response of vasal smooth muscle as indicated by alteration of lumen size was significantly lower in subjects of 49 to 52 years of age to epinephrine and acetylcholine. It has been proposed that diameter of the vas at different age groups and its responsiveness to neuromuscular transmitters may be taken into consideration when designing vas occlusive devices.