The Effects of Vasectomy on Epididymal Morphology and Sperm Parameters in Adult Male Balb/c mice

Abstract

Vasectomy is a common contraceptive procedure in men. The present study is aimed to explore the impact of vasectomy on epididymal morphology and sperm parameters in adult male Balb/c mice. Twenty adult (age: 8 weeks) male Balb/c mice, weighting 20-30 g were used in the experiments. They were divided into 2 groups (vasectomy and sham). The operations were performed under sodium pentobarbital (40 mg/kg body weight, IP) anesthesia via a lower mid-abdominal incision. The left epididymis caput was fixed for histological studies and the right one was used for sperm count and motility. Progressive fast and slow sperm motility were significantly decreased in the vasectomized compared to the sham operation group (P<0.05) and the number of immotile sperm in the vasectomized group was increased in comparison to control group. Sperm granuloma was seen in 60% of epididymis after vasectomy. Also, Histological study showed an increase in tubular lumen diameter, interstitial space and infiltration of immune cells in interstitial tissue in vasectomized group. Vasectomy increases histopathological changes in epididymis and decreases the motility of sperm developing a reduction in fertility rates.