Factors that influence fertility after vasovasostomy in rats

• Published in: Fertility and sterility Vol. 56; no. 3; pp. 555 - 562
• Main Authors: Flickinger, Charles J., Howards, Stuart S., Herr, John C., Carey, Peter O., Yarbro, E. Scott, Sisak, John R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier Inc 01.09.1991; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Animals; Antibodies - analysis; Biological and medical sciences; Birth control; Body Fluids - physiology; Embryo Implantation; Female; Fertility; Fertilization; Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics; Male; Medical sciences; Postoperative Period; Rats; Rats, Inbred Lew - immunology; Rats, Inbred Lew - physiology; Rats, Inbred Strains - immunology; Rats, Inbred Strains - physiology; Spermatozoa - immunology; Spermatozoa - ultrastructure; Sterility. Assisted procreation; Vas Deferens - physiopathology; Vasovasostomy; Spermatozoa; Semen pathway; Prognosis; Rat; Antibody; Autoimmunization; Semen; Rodentia; Autoantibody; Male; Vasovasostomy; Male genital system; Vertebrata; Mammalia; Treatment; Fertility; Animal; Surgery; Race; Male sterility
• ISSN: 0015-0282; 1556-5653
• DOI: 10.1016/S0015-0282(16)54557-9

To determine if fertility after vasovasostomy of immunologically responsive Lewis rats differs from that of the less responsive Sprague-Dawley strain and to relate fertility to antisperm antibodies, fluid flow in the vas deferens, and testicular structure. Male rats received: (1) bilateral vasectomies; (2) vasectomies followed 3months later by vasovasostomy; or (3) sham operations. Research laboratory. Fertility was assessed by caging males with three females for 2weeks and subsequently counting implantation sites. Antisperm antibodies were measured with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, fluid flow through vas deferens segments was tested in vitro, and testicular structure was studied microscopically. Nearly all vasovasostomized Lewis rats were infertile (33 of 34), whereas 62% (18 of 29) Sprague-Dawley rats were fertile after vasovasostomy (P<0.001). In fertile Sprague-Dawley males, significant correlations existed between: (1) implantation sites or females impregnated; and (2) antisperm antibodies early after vasectomy, vas flow, and testicular morphology. Genetic differences affect fertility after vasovasostomy. Fertility after vasovasostomy is also influenced in a multifactorial manner by the immune response, mechanical elements, and structural changes in the reproductive tract.