title: Induction of contraception by intraepididymal sclerotherapy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of a sclerosing solution for inducing epididymal occlusion in male rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into two groups: an injection group (n=20) and control group (n=20). Before injecting the sclerosing agent, seminal vesiculectomy and sperm identification using electrostimulation were performed in all of the rats. In the injection group, 0.2 mL of 0.1% sodium tetradecyl sulfate solution was injected into the epididymis. In the sham group, only the identification of the epididymis was performed. At 4 and 12 weeks after the injection, semen was collected by electrostimulation and evaluated to assess the contraceptive effect. Epididymis was evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After 4 and 12 weeks, semen collection was performed in the two groups. Sperms were not observed in the injection group, while there was no change in the sperms in the sham group. H&E staining showed the obstruction of epididymal tubules and an accumulation of inflammatory cells in the injection group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study showed that the sclerosing agent induced sterilization in male rats. This result suggests that the injection method can replace vasectomy as a contraceptive method. However, a further study of large animals and a clinical study are needed. Further, the long-term effectiveness of this method needs to be studied.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, School of Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Hyoung Keun
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, School of Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Sung Hyun
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Paick
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, School of Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Hyeong Gon
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, School of Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Yong Soo
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Lho
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, The Catholic University of Korea, Uijeongbu St. Mary's Hospital, Uijeongbu, Korea.
authors.forename: Sang Rak
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Bae
keywords: Contraception; Male; Rats; Sterilization