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Biology of Reproduction, Vol 13, 453-460, Copyright © 1975 by Society for the Study of Reproduction

Suppression of Sperm Granulomas in Vasectomized Rats by Local Heating of the Testis

JOSEF K. VOGLMAYR 1

1 Worcester Foundation for Experimental Biology Shrewsbury, Massachusetts 01545


Local application of heat to the testis of mature rats shortly before vasectomy supressed the formation of sperm granulomas. Thirty days after surgery few spermatozoa were seen in the caput or corpus epididymidis and the incidence and size of sperm granulomas were markedly reduced. Autopsy findings 61 days after exposure showed that the lesions had been suppressed although the testis had resumed active spermatogenesis and spermatozoa were seen throughout the excurrent duct. Histological studies 31 days after exposure showed that numerous macrophages had invaded the sperm granulomas and the duct lumen of the cauda epididymidis of the locally heated vasectomized rats. However, removal of spermatozoa in the cauda epididymidis by resorption or phagocytosis was slow and it is doubtful that these processes operate effectively in the vasectomized rat.

Recovery of the testis at between 31 and 121 days after local heating resulted in the formation of new lesions which were, however, only half the size of those found in the non-heated vasectomized rats autopsied 120 days postoperatively. Local heating of the testis did not impair normal function of the Leydig cells since plasma testosterone levels were comparable in heated-vasectomized and control rats.

On the basis of these observations, local application of heat to the testis may be a potentially safe method of reducing the incidence of sperm granulomas and their immunological consequences.

 Submitted on June 18, 1975
Accepted on July 21, 1975






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Copyright © 1975 by the Society for the Study of Reproduction.