In order to find out the effects of vasectomy on testicular structure, 12 mature male Dawley rats were subjected to left vasectomy. Sixty-two days after the surgery, all rats were destroyed and both testes of each rat were examined under light microscope. Formation of spermatic granuloma (7/12, 58.33%), and atrophy of seminiferous tubular epithelium (6/12, 50%) were the most prominent microscopic changes. The testicular atrophy was probably attributed to the hydrostatic pressure caused by semen retention as well as pressure caused by granuloma. The failure to regain fertility following vasectomy-reversal was probably related to the detrimental changes in testicular structure.
Epididymal dilation, Seminiferous tubular atrophy, Spermatic granuloma, Vasectomy
