Quantitative testicular biopsy in congenital and acquired genital obstruction

To determine if congenital obstruction of the genital tract is associated with significant testicular histopathological conditions compared to acquired forms of obstruction we performed testicular biopsy in 8 vasectomized men and 5 men with vasal agenesis. Quantitative analysis of the seminiferous tubular and epithelial parameters demonstrated a statistically significant increase in tubular wall thickness in the vasectomized group. There was no significant difference among the groups with reference to the mean number of late spermatids per seminiferous tubules, mean number of Sertoli cells per seminiferous tubules, mean number of seminiferous tubules per field (100 times) or mean seminiferous tubular diameter. We conclude that despite a lifelong duration of obstruction, men with vasal agenesis demonstrate a more favorable testicular histological status compared to men after vasectomy. This finding may have therapeutic implications when considering assisted pregnancy techniques as a method of treatment of male genital tract atresia.