Agenesis or atrophy of the testis and vas deferens.

In this study the author examines the relationship between agenesis or atrophy of the testis and of the vas deferens. From a prospective study of 237 cases of unilateral and bilateral undescended testis, 12 cases of agenesis of a testis were seen; 9 of the 12 cases were associated with agenesis of the vas deferens and in 3 of these unilateral renal agenesis was also present, not necessarily ipsilaterally. Three other cases of testicular agenesis and four cases of extreme testicular atrophy were seen. In all seven, the vas deferens was present in part or in its entirety and roentgenography disclosed a normal upper urinary tract. Agenesis of the vas deferens was seen only in patients with monorchism. No patient was anorchid. It is concluded that an important link exists between agenesis of the vas deferens and agenesis of the testis.     

输精管阻断对大鼠睾丸转化生长因子β1表达的影响

目的　了解大鼠输精管阻断和阻断解除后睾丸内TGFβ1表达状况。　方法　大鼠 90只 ,随机分为输精管阻断 (VG)组 35只 ,输精管阻断解除 (VOG)组 2 0只 ,假手术组 (SOG) 35只 ,采用免疫组织化学染色和原位杂交技术检测TGFβ1的表达。　结果　VG组从实验第 8周起近基底膜的管周细胞和精原细胞TGFβ1表达较SOG组增强 ,其中 8、16、2 0、2 4周与SOG组相比差异有显著性意义 (P <0 .0 5 )。表达量在 8周后并不随结扎时间延长而改变 ,而是维持在相对稳定的水平。VOG组TGFβ1表达亦较SOG组显著增高。　结论　输精管阻断后TGFβ1表达升高可能是导致睾丸细胞凋亡的原因 ,而阻断解除后TGFβ1水平无明显下降可能是导致生精功能恢复不完全的原因。     

Calcium channel blockade and contractile responses in the isolated human vas deferens

The effects of removal of extracellular calcium and of the calcium channel blockers nifedipine, verapamil and diltiazem were studied on contractions induced by electrical field stimulation and high K+-solution in isolated preparations of the human vas deferens. Electrically induced contractions were blocked by tetrodotoxin and alpha-adrenoceptor blockade. They were abolished in calcium-deficient medium, and suppressed by the calcium channel blockers in the order of potency nifedipine greater than verapamil greater than diltiazem. The maximum blocking effect of nifedipine was approximately 40%. All the blockers practically abolished K+-induced contractions. It is concluded that even if the contractile response of the human vas deferens to electrical stimulation is dependent on extracellular calcium, calcium channel blockers seem to have only a limited effect on this contraction and their capability of impairing the function of the vas deferens in patients is questioned.     

Temporary stretch of the testicular pedicle may damage the vas deferens and the testis

Background/Purpose

The authors aimed to investigate the effects of temporary stretching of the spermatic cord, a commonly performed manipulation during inguinal surgery, on the vas deferens and the testis.

Methods

Forty adult male Wistar-Albino rats were divided equally into 4 groups. The right spermatic cord and testis were exposed via a transverse suprascrotal incision. In the study groups, a continuous horizontal stretch force was applied to the vas deferens and vessels in a distal direction for 60 seconds. In group 1 (G1) a 1.25-Newton (N), and in group 2 (G2) a 0.75-N stretch force was applied. Group 3 (G3) and group 4 (G4) served as sham and control groups, respectively. The animals were killed 28 days later. Sections of the vas deferens were examined histologically and their dimensions measured. Both testes were excised, weighed, and examined microscopically. Kruskal-Wallis test and Mann-Whitney U test were used to compare means in the different groups.

Results

The mean wall thickness of the vas deferens was 378 ± 133 μm in G1 and was significantly diminished compared to G2, G3, and G4, in which the mean wall thickness was 497 ± 142 μm, 500 ± 10 μm and 521 ± 95 μm, respectively (P < .05). The mean right testicular weights were 1.18 ± 0.10 g and 1.23 ± 0.17 g in G1 and G2, respectively, and each was significantly lower than in G3 (1.23 ± 0.09 g) and G4 (1.25 ± 0.08 g; P < .05). The mean right testicular weights showed no difference between G1 and G2 (P > .05). Necrosis was seen in the right testes in 50.0% and 42.9% of the animals in G1 and G2, respectively. No histopathologic alterations were observed in the vas deferens in all groups. Microscopic examination of the left testes was normal.

Conclusions

In an experimental animal model, temporary stretching of the spermatic cord resulted in significant thinning of the smooth muscle layer of the vas deferens and testicular atrophy.     

输精管金属环可复性节育术的酶细胞化学研究及电镜观察

用酶细胞化学方法结合超微结构，观察了家兔输精管经金属环夹及加不同性质支撑物后输精管碱性磷酸酶（ＡＫＰ），睾丸乳酸脱氢酶（ＬＤＨ）的活性变化及输精管、睾丸和附睾的超微结构改变，在细胞学基础上，探讨了输精管金属环可复性节育术的影响因素，并结合酶活性变化，分析了其复通后复孕率较低的原因。     

Congenital absence of the vas deferens.

Fourteen personal cases of agenesia of the vas deferens, bilateral in 12 and unilateral in 2, are described. In 13 of the cases the diagnosis was confirmed by surgical exploration. In most of the cases cytologic examination of aspiration biopsy specimens and histologic examination of surgical specimens of the testes showed that spermatogenesis was normal. The appearance of biopsy specimens of the epididymides were normal except for a certain degree of interstitital fibrosis and dilation of the ductus epididymidis. Endeavours to produce an artificial spermatocele with the aid of an isolated flap of tunica vaginalis in several patients proved unsuccessful. In one patient with a naturally preformed spermatocele the latter was aspirated, and the patient's wife was inseminated with the cellular content from the aspirate. This procedure has been repeated on several occasions, but so far without any subsequent conception. The failure of treatment of these patients may perhaps be due to some change in the function of their epididymides. This possibility is discussed.     

Ultrastructure of Sertoli cells of the human testis in agenesis of the vas deferens

Ten testicular biopsies from adult males with agenesis of the vas deferens have been investigated with light and electron microscopy. The ultrastructural study of SERTOLI cells has demonstrated that: (a) the junctions between SERTOLI cells and between SERTOLI and germinal cells retain their normal ultrastructural features. (b) Lanthanum permeates SERTOLI cells tight junctions, but its diffusion towards the adluminal compartment is prevented. (c) SERTOLI cells present unusual amounts of cytoplasmic inclusions, especially lipofuscin granules. A relationship between these inclusions and phagocytosis has not been demonstrated. (d) "Dark" SERTOLI cells which show alterations of their typical junctional complex have been frequently observed, although their frequency varies among the different patients. The results are discussed in relation to diagnostic significance of the ultrastructural study of testicular biopsies.     

A model of an intraprostatic vas deferens in the rat

The study of the effect of hormones in seminal fluid upon prostate tissue is hampered by the lack of a suitable model. Such a model is described in this paper, and its possible usefulness is discussed. The vas deferens of the rat is moved from its normal position into a surgical incision into the ventral prostate. Squamous metaplasia of epithelium in prostatic acini at early stages is replaced by cuboidal epithelium. At later stages, normal-appearing glandular epithelium is seen as close as 50 micrometers to the vas deferens. The structure of the vas deferens is not affected.     

Effect of thyroxine on the contractile responses of the vas deferens to prostaglandin E2

The effects of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) on the contractile activity of thyroidectomized and thyroxine-treated albino rats were studied in vitro. Thyroidectomy totally inhibited the contractile response of the vas deferens to PGE2. Thyroxine treatment, on the other hand, significantly (P < .001) potentiated the response of vasa deferentia to PGE2, when compared to controls. It is suggested that thyroid hormones play a role in the contractile response of the vas deferens to PGE2.     

先天性双侧输精管缺如患者睾丸组织中CFTR蛋白的表达及意义

目的通过观察中国CBAVD患者CFTR蛋白在睾丸组织中的表达水平,探讨其与睾丸生精功能之间的关系。方法免疫组化检测66例中国先天性双侧输精管缺如患者睾丸组织CFTR蛋白表达水平并对睾丸生精功能进行评分,探讨先天性双侧输精管缺如患者CFTR蛋白的表达情况以及其与睾丸生精功能的关系。结果免疫组化结果显示CFTR蛋白可表达于睾丸内支持细胞及生精上皮细胞,以细胞膜和细胞浆为主;CFTR蛋白在CBAVD患者睾丸生精上皮及支持细胞的表达以阳性和弱阳性为主,比例分别为50%(33/66)和37.87%(25/66),部分患者可见阴性表达,比例为4.54%(3/66);睾丸生精Johnsen评分7~10分的比例分别为4.45%(3/66)、40.9%(27/66)、42.42%(28/66)和12.23%(8/66)。部分患者存在生精功能障碍。CFTR蛋白在睾丸组织中的表达与生精功能强正相关性,相关系数为0.785(P<0.01)。结论BAVD患者睾丸内的CFTR蛋白表达以阳性和弱阳性为主;部分CBAVD患者存在生精功能障碍,CFTR蛋白在睾丸组织中的表达水平与生精功能存在强正相关性。