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

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.