Vasography: effect of various agents on vas deferens patency

Vasography is a common diagnostic procedure utilized in evaluating the male genital tract for causes of azoospermia, for evaluation of persistent perineal pain and seminal vesiculitis, and recently used in the staging of prostate cancer. In order to evaluate the effects of injectable agents on the healthy vas deferens, 7 groups of 10 rats had the left vas deferens injected by vasopuncture with saline, 4 contrast agents, doxycycline and absolute alcohol. The animals were sacrificed 8 weeks later, and were examined for patency of the vas and inflammatory response. Results revealed that vasopuncture did not produce obstruction. Vasography with water-soluble contrast media does entail a low risk of inflammation in the rat, but produces no obstruction. Intra-vas injection of doxycycline, injected by some for treatment of chronic seminal vesiculitis and perineal pain, is not deleterious in the rat model.