Persistence or reappearance of nonmotile sperm after vasectomy: does it have clinical consequences?
OBJECTIVE
To determine the percentage of patients with nonmotile sperm 12 weeks after vasectomy, to estimate the time needed for eventual azoospermia in these patients, and to record the percentage of patients with recurrence of nonmotile sperm after initial azoospermia after vasectomy.


METHODS
A review of the semen analysis of vasectomies performed in a 2-year period. Semen analysis in a group of volunteers from 4 months until 24 months after vasectomy.


METHODS
Vasectomies performed in an outpatient department of the University Hospital of Maastricht.


METHODS
Men referred by the general practitioner for a vasectomy.


METHODS
Vasectomy.


METHODS
Amount and motility of sperm in postvasectomy semen samples.


RESULTS
Nonmotile sperm was found in 33% of the patients 12 weeks after vasectomy. The mean time to azoospermia was 6.36 months. Nonmotile sperm after initial azoospermia was found in 5 of 65 patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Azoospermia as a criterion for sterility leads to unnecessary prolonged semen analysis in a large percentage of the vasectomized patients. Reappearance of nonmotile sperm was found in an unexpectedly high percentage.
De Knijff
D W
DW
Department of Urology, University of Maastricht, The Netherlands.
Vrijhof
H J
HJ
Arends
J
J
Janknegt
R A
RA
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D012086:Reoperation; D013081:Sperm Motility; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000502:physiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014659:Vasectomy