Fluid movement in the lumen of the rat epididymis: effect of vasectomy and subsequent vasovasostomy.
Intraluminal fluid movement rate was measured in four regions of the rat epididymis. The fastest flow occurred in the proximal caput epididymis (18.5 +/- 3.7 mm/hour) and the slowest in the distal cauda (2.5 +/- 0.5 mm/hour). Vasectomy significantly reduced caput fluid flow rates unless a sperm granuloma was present at the vasectomy site. Thirty days after vasovasostomy, caput fluid movement remained reduced in animals unless a granuloma was present. Failures of this or other aspects of epididymal biology to return to normal after vasovasostomy could play a role in the frequent infertility which persists after the operation.
Turner
T T
TT
Department of Urology, University of Virginia Health Sciences Center, Charlottesville 22908.
Gleavy
J L
JL
Harris
J M
JM
D000818:Animals; D001826:Body Fluids / Q000502:physiology; D004822:Epididymis / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D011184:Postoperative Period; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012212:Rheology; D013243:Sterilization Reversal; D014649:Vas Deferens / Q000601:surgery; D014659:Vasectomy