| Abstract: | The histologic, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural changes in the seminiferous tubules (ST) of 17 healthy adult males who had been vasectomized between 1 1/2 and 5 years are reported. There was minimal spermatogenesis in 4 cases. 8 of the cases underwent electron microscopy examination and 4 showed evidence of minimal histological spermatogenesis. The ST showed a thickening of the basement membrane and heavy deposits of lipofuchsin in the Sertoli cells (SC) seen as lipid infiltration. The spermatogenic cells presented variable changes characterized by the disorientation of cells, maturation arrest, and premature sloughing. No immune complex deposits were seen. Of the 9 cases followed, pregnancy occurred in 2 following vas reanastomosis; a regenerative capacity of the ST was seen in 6 cases. The follow-up studies also show that the morphological alterations initially produced by the vasectomy have little affect on the appearance of spermatogenesis after vas reanastomosis. Thus, we see that the vasectomy exerts its major effect on the SC and that the damage to these cells alters the testicular environment. However, these changes are apparently reversible following vasovasostomy. |
