J Korean Androl Soc.  1994 Jan;12(1):13-18.

Quantitative Analysis of Histologic Change in the Testis According to the Cause and Site of Genital Duct Obstruction

• Park MS
• Paick JS
• Kim SW

Abstract

To clarify the change in spermatogenesis according to the cause and site of genital duct obstruction, we analysed testicular biopsy specimens quantitatively in 63 patients with obstructive azoospermic patients. Of the patients, 12 had congential vasal agenesis, 7 had ejaculatory duct obstruction, 15 had epididymal obstruction, and 29 were in a post-vasectomy state. We measured the number of late spermatids per tubule, the diameter of the seminiferous tubules, the thickness of the seminiferous tubular walls, the per cent of atrophic tubules and the presence of peritubular fibrosis. There was no significant difference in histologic parameters among vasal agenesis, epididymal obstruction and the post-vasectomy state. However, in ejaculatory duct obstruction, the number of the late spermatids per tubule(p<0.01) and the mean diameter of the seminiferous tubules(p<0.05) were significantly lower and peritubular fibrosis(p<0.05) was more severe than in those with epididymal or vasal obstruction. Considering the fact that the contraction is more prominent at the distal portion than the proximal portion of the vas deferens in ejaculation and that the lumen of the vas deferens is dilated in ejaculatory duct obstruction, it is supposed that high pressure can be developed in the seminal tract, and it will have a deleterious effect on spermatogenesis in ejaculatory duct obstruction.

MeSH Terms

Biopsy
Ejaculation
Ejaculatory Ducts
Fibrosis
Humans
Male
Seminiferous Tubules
Spermatids
Spermatogenesis
Testis*
Vas Deferens