Testicular development and the formation of spermatic granulomas of the epididymis after obstruction of the vas deferens in immature rats.
OBJECTIVE
Aims were to determine the effects of obstruction of the vas deferens prior to sexual maturation on testicular growth and the formation of spermatic granulomas.


METHODS
The vas deferens was ligated and divided bilaterally in 10-day-old Lewis rats.


RESULTS
Testis weight and volume did not differ significantly between obstructed rats and sham controls at the majority of the intervals studied, including the end of the experiment at 128 days, although some temporary changes were observed. Testes of obstructed animals showed normal histological differentiation. Nearly all obstructed animals developed spermatic granulomas of the epididymis once they matured.


CONCLUSIONS
When obstructed prior to sexual maturation, the testes are affected only transiently, but significant epididymal alterations occur. Spermatic granulomas are located predominantly in the epididymis rather than the vas deferens.
Flickinger
C J
CJ
Department of Cell Biology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, USA.
Herr
J C
JC
Baran
M L
ML
Howards
S S
SS
D000818:Animals; D004822:Epididymis / Q000473:pathology; D006099:Granuloma / Q000209:etiology*; D008026:Ligation; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size; D051381:Rats; D011917:Rats, Inbred Lew; D012741:Sexual Maturation; D013733:Testicular Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D013737:Testis / Q000196:embryology*; D014649:Vas Deferens