Consequences of vasectomy: an immunological and histological study related to subsequent fertility

Studies of 2 groups of patients 2 years and 8 years following vasectomy failed to demonstrate evidence of cell mediated immunity to sperm. Histological examination of testicular tissue from 11 patients undergoing reversal of vasectomy showed significant abnormalities in each. However, subsequent fertility within 15 months occurred in 7 (63.6%) of these patients. The nature of the testicular changes and the possible aetiological factors are discussed.