title: Intravasal "toothpaste" in men with obstructive azoospermia is derived from vasal epithelium, not sperm.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Men undergoing vasectomy reversal many years after vasectomy are at increased risk for secondary epididymal obstruction. When this occurs the intravasal fluid is often a thick, white, toothpaste-like material devoid of sperm. In this study we characterize the vasal fluid found in men with a newly described entity, segmental dysplasia of the vas deferens, in which at least 2 distinct sites of vasal obstruction are present. We determine the significance of this fluid in men with obstructive azoospermia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three men who underwent scrotal exploration for obstructive azoospermia due to segmental dysplasia of the vas deferens were evaluated. Each underwent scrotal exploration including bilateral vasotomy and testicular biopsy. Intravasal fluid was collected, evaluated microscopically and sent for cytopathological evaluation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All men had isolated segments of the vas 2 to 5 cm in length that were not connected to the epididymis or ejaculatory ducts. We have named this condition segmental dysplasia of the vas deferens. Vasotomy was performed between aplastic segments, revealing thick, white, toothpaste-like material identical to that seen in men with secondary epididymal obstruction undergoing vasectomy reversal. Cytopathological evaluation of this fluid revealed proteinaceous concretions and rare clusters of degenerated columnar epithelial cells, but no sperm or sperm products.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Thick, white, toothpaste-like material is produced between 2 obstructed segments as seen in men with segmental dysplasia of the vas deferens and with secondary epididymal obstruction. Our findings in men with segmental dysplasia of the vas deferens indicate that vasal "toothpaste" must be derived from vasal epithelium, not sperm.
authors.affiliation: James Buchanan Brady Urology Foundation, Department of Urology, Center for Male Reproductive Medicine and Microsurgery, Cornell Institute for Reproductive Medicine, New York-Weill Cornell University Medical Center, New York, New York 10021, USA.
authors.forename: Jennifer T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Anger
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Goldstein
mesh_terms: D001826:Body Fluids; D004848:Epithelium; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009845:Oligospermia / Q000473:pathology; D014649:Vas Deferens / Q000473:pathology; D014669:Vasovasostomy