title: Fluid movement in the lumen of the rat epididymis: effect of vasectomy and subsequent vasovasostomy.
abstract: 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.
authors: Department of Urology, University of Virginia Health Sciences Center, Charlottesville 22908.
authors: T T
authors: TT
authors: Turner
authors: J L
authors: JL
authors: Gleavy
authors: J M
authors: JM
authors: Harris
mesh_terms: 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