Effect of vas ligation on testicular sperm extraction results in nonobstructive azoospermic rats: Shaeer’s lock‐in technique

Abstract

Summary This study evaluates the efficacy of vas ligation in enhancing sperm retrieval in nonobstructive azoospermia cases, by accumulating intratesticular spermatozoa. Fifty‐six mature male rats with equally sized testes were included in this study. Forty‐six were in the study group, and 10 were in the control group. Bilateral testicular fine needle aspiration was performed for all, to confirm presence of spermatozoa in all testes. Nonobstructive azoospermia was induced in all 56 rats, using Dienogest (40 mg/kg) + Testosterone Undecanoate (25 mg/kg) every month for three months. Monthly aspirations confirmed nonobstructive azoospermia from all rats, within the three months treatment. This was followed by unilateral vas ligation and was performed for 46 rats of the study group, with no ligation performed in the control group. After a further period of 90 days (2 spermatogenic cycles) with the same medical treatment maintained, bilateral testicular sperm extraction was performed. Sperm retrieval was evaluated, comparing the outcome of vas‐ligated testicles to the nonligated. Upon evaluation, spermatozoa were found in 14/46 of the vas‐ligated testes (30.4%), compared to none of the nonligated (0/66), p = .0005. Ligation of the vas deferens in rats with nonobstructive azoospermia may enhance the results of sperm retrieval via sperm accumulation.