Quantitative analysis of testicular histology in patients with vas deferens obstruction caused by childhood inguinal herniorrhaphy: comparison to vasectomized men

J Urol. 1996 Feb;155(2):564-7.

Abstract

Purpose: We investigated the effects on spermatogenesis of lifelong vas deferens obstruction caused by childhood inguinal herniorrhaphy.

Materials and methods: Testicular histology was analyzed quantitatively in 15 post-herniorrhaphy patients with vasal obstruction for a mean of 28.5 years (group 1). The results were compared to those of 19 vasectomy patients with obstruction for a mean of 8.2 years (group 2).

Results: There were significantly fewer total germ cells per tubular cross section in group 1 than in group 2 (p < 0.05). There was a significant negative correlation between the duration of obstruction and total germ cells per tubule (r = -0.389, p < 0.03, 34 patients). The tubular diameter was significantly larger in group 2 than in group 1 (p < 0.01).

Conclusions: Patients with vas deferens obstruction caused by childhood inguinal herniorrhaphy have decreased spermatogenesis compared to post-vasectomy patients, probably due to the longer obstruction period.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Child
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Genital Diseases, Male / etiology
  • Genital Diseases, Male / pathology
  • Hernia, Inguinal / surgery*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Postoperative Complications / etiology
  • Postoperative Complications / pathology
  • Seminiferous Tubules / cytology
  • Seminiferous Tubules / pathology
  • Spermatozoa*
  • Testis / cytology*
  • Testis / pathology
  • Vas Deferens*
  • Vasectomy*