[Light and electron microscopic studies of the epididymis in 30 patients with obstructive azoospermia]

The epididymal tissue and the testis biopsy from 30 patients with obstructive azoospermia, who had undergone refertilization operations, were investigated by light- and electron microscopy. The findings give an insight into the morphologically recognizable tissue relationships, which one finds in patients with congenital or acquired obstruction of the deferent duct. A severe blockage of the testicular secretion is found in the epithelium of these epididymal ducts and demonstrate considerable pathological tissue changes, which indicate an intense resorptive activity. Intra-luminal spermatophages, which are loaded with phagocytized spermatozoa fragments, penetrate through the epithelium. Also great numbers of monocytes, as well as mast cells, and lymphocytes appear in the interstitium. The autoimmune reaction, induced by the continual blockage of epididymal passage over a long period of time, is discussed.