Effect of long term vasectomy on the secretory function of the epididymis in rat.

The secretory function of the epididymis in the rat was investigated 180 days after vasectomy in 25 adult male rats. Testis epididymis seminal vesicles ventral prostate and coagulating glands were studied. Sialic acid and glycerylphosphoryl choline (GPC) in the epididymis were determined. Histological examination showed effects of vasectomy to be minimal. 8 of 25 rats had distension of the cauda epididymis due to ganuloma formation. There was a significant (p less than .01) rise in the sailic acid concentration of cauda epididymis after vasectomy which may have been due to accumulation of spermatozoa rather than due to accumulation of secretory products in the cauda region. Levels of GPC were also higher in vasectomized animals. The results of this study demonstrate that vasectomy does not affect the normal functioning of the genital organs.