The Incidence of Spermatic Granulomas and Their Relation to Testis Weight after Vasectomy and Vasovasostomy in Lewis Rats

Cj, Flickinger; Es, Yarbro; Ss, Howards; Jc, Herr; Caloras, Daniel; Tn, Gallien; Dr, Spell

doi:10.1002/j.1939-4640.1986.tb00932.x

Cited by 40 publications

(26 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…The best known of the systemic consequences is a rise in antisperm antibodies, which occurs after vasectomy in virtually all species studied (Alexander and Anderson, 1979). Local changes have been reported in most parts of the reproductive tract, including the testis (Bedford, 1976;Fawcett, 1979;Jarow et al, 1985;Flickinger et al, 1987), efferent ducts (Alexander, 1972;Flickinger, 1982), epididymis (Flickinger, 1972(Flickinger, , 1982Alexander, 1973;Miller and Killian, 1987), and vas deferens (Heidger and Sawatzke, 1977;Hamadinia et al, 19801, and spermatic granulomas have been observed to form where the tract has ruptured (Neaves, 1975;Bedford, 1976;Flickinger et al, 1986). Testicular lesions have attracted the most attention (Flickinger, 19851, because of their potential influence on fertility if reversal of vasectomy is desired at a later time.…”

Section: Flammation Ratmentioning

confidence: 95%

Ultrastructure of epididymal interstitial reactions following vasectomy and vasovasostomy

et al. 1993

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The response of the male reproductive tract to vasectomy includes inflammation of the interstitial tissue of the epididymis. The pathogenesis of epididymal interstitial reactions and characteristics of the responding cells were studied by electron microscopy in Lewis rats at intervals following bilateral vasectomy, vasectomy followed 1 month later by vasovasostomy, or sham operations. In areas of interstitial reaction, numerous macrophages, monocytes, lymphocytes, neutrophils, and plasma cells occupied the connective tissue. Macrophages, containing many lysosomes and vesicles, aggregated and assumed the appearance of epithelioid cells. Processes of adjacent macrophages interdigitated with one another and closely approached the surfaces of lymphocytes. Many plasma cells with distended rough endoplasmic reticulum appeared in the interstitium. The majority of animals in the vasectomy and vasovasostomy groups exhibited epididymal interstitial changes by 2-3 months; the cauda epididymidis was the region most often affected. The ultrastructural features were indicative of chronic granulomatous inflammation and were consistent with an immune response that includes antigen presentation by macrophages to lymphocytes, lymphocyte differentiation, and local antibody production by plasma cells. The nearly complete absence of sperm or recognizable parts thereof in the interstitial tissue in the areas of the reactions suggests that these lesions formed in response to soluble antigens leaking from the duct. Vasovasostomy was not effective in reversing or retarding epididymal inflammation at the intervals studied.

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Section: Flammation Ratmentioning

confidence: 95%

Ultrastructure of epididymal interstitial reactions following vasectomy and vasovasostomy

et al. 1993

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“…These show features of a chronic inflammatory process with a fibrous shell, lymphocytes, and plasma cells surrounding a semisolid core of degenerating sperm and phagocytes (Flickinger et al, 1986(Flickinger et al, , 1995. Once sperm had arrived in the epididymis between 42 and 56 days (Scheer and Robaire, 1980;Robaire and Hermo, 1988), the majority of postpubertal rats with epididymal ligations 56 days or…”

Section: Spermatic Granulomasmentioning

confidence: 97%

Degeneration of the seminiferous epithelium following epididymal obstruction in prepubertal rats

et al. 1999

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The development of the testes was studied in rats following prepubertal obstruction of the epididymis. Male rats received bilateral ligation of the corpus epididymidis or a sham operation at 10 days of age, and temporal changes in testicular morphology and weights of reproductive organs were determined at intervals spanning sexual maturation. Development of the testes was normal through 35 days of age. The initial histological changes in the testes of ligated animals, observed at 56 days, included an increased diameter of the seminiferous tubule lumen, depletion of spermatids, and the presence of multinucleate spermatids. Subsequently, germ cells were greatly depleted in the testes of 91- and 128-day-old rats with ligated epididymides. After puberty, testicular weight and volume declined relative to corresponding sham-operated animals. On the other hand, the weights of the epididymides in ligated animals prior to puberty significantly exceeded those of sham-operated rats but weighed significantly less than those of rats in the sham group after sexual maturation. Testicular alterations occurred after increases in the weights of the epididymides. Testicular changes may have contributed to rather than resulted from an autoimmune response to spermatozoa because testicular alterations preceded increases in antisperm autoantibodies.

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“…Autoimmune response to sperm antigens is an established fact, and is the basis for infertility in men undergoing vasectomy (Alexander 1975, Alexander & Anderson 1979, Rose & Lucas 1979, Tung & Menge 1985, Flickinger et al 1986.…”

Section: Development Of Type 1 Microcanalmentioning

confidence: 99%

Microcanalization in the epididymis to overcome ductal obstruction caused by chronic exposure to chromium – a study in the mature bonnet monkey (Macaca radiata Geoffroy)

Aruldhas¹,

Subramanian²,

Sekhar³

et al. 2004

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In order to apprehend the toxic effects of chromium, an occupational/environmental pollutant, on the epididymis, adult bonnet monkeys were exposed to chromium (VI) in their drinking water at concentrations of 100, 200 and 400 p.p.m. for a chronic period of 180 days. At the end of the experimental period, testicles and segments of epididymis from control and treated monkeys were subjected to light microscopic (resin-embedded semi-thin sections) and transmission electron microscopic analyses. Among the various changes undergone by the epididymal epithelium, the present paper describes the origin of two different kinds of microcanals, probably caused by ductal obstruction. The first type of microcanal, which appears to provide passage for spermatozoa to bypass the obstructed main duct, is comparable with the one already reported in carbendazimtreated efferent ductules of the rat. The second type of microcanal, which is novel, consisted of a lumen in the epithelium enclosed by four to five cells, which are either modified basal cells, principal cells or a hitherto unknown cell type. This novel type of microcanal is suggested to be a device to entrap the spermatozoa which reach the core of the epithelium and may be a mechanism to prevent extravasation of sperm so as to avoid an autoimmune response of spermatic granuloma formation. Thus, the present study has shown that chronic exposure to chromium (VI) through drinking water can produce pathological manifestations in the epididymal epithelium but the epididymis, being a versatile organ, is capable of overcoming such adverse situations through novel devices.

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The Incidence of Spermatic Granulomas and Their Relation to Testis Weight after Vasectomy and Vasovasostomy in Lewis Rats

Cited by 40 publications

References 27 publications

Ultrastructure of epididymal interstitial reactions following vasectomy and vasovasostomy

Ultrastructure of epididymal interstitial reactions following vasectomy and vasovasostomy

Degeneration of the seminiferous epithelium following epididymal obstruction in prepubertal rats

Microcanalization in the epididymis to overcome ductal obstruction caused by chronic exposure to chromium – a study in the mature bonnet monkey (Macaca radiata Geoffroy)

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