Factors influencing spermatogenesis intact in in obstructive azoospermia: findings of experimental study.

NI Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Department of Urology, Russia, Moscow

Objectives:

To assess the effect of the level and duration of obstruction on morphological of testicular tissue.

Materials and Methods:

50 mature male Vistar rats were divided into groups: 1- proximal obstruction of vas deferens, 2 - distal obstruction of vas deferens, 3 – epididimal obstruction, 4 - intact. The testes and epididymis has been removed after 3 and 6 month for histological examination.

Results:

In all groups testicular volume (V) reliably decreased (p<0,05). More pronounced changes were found in group 3. V was reliably less than in groups 1 and 2. In its turn in group 2 V was reliably less than in group 1 (p<0,05). V depended on the level of obstruction (r=-0,84; p<0,05). In the controls group 98,63±0,9% seminiferous tubules (ST) contained germ cells on all stages. In the investigated groups all parameters of spermatogenesis turned out to be lower comparing with the control. It was expressed in the decrease of ST with all stages of cell development, increase of number empty ST. The stage of spermatogenesis damage also depended on the level of obstruction, the more marked changes were noted in group 3. Mature spermatozoa were found only in 9,3±2,7% of ST. In contrast to group 2 six months later spermatogenesis damage in groups 1 and 3 worsened. The remote monitoring revealed none of germ cells epithelium in any tubule. Number of empty ST in groups 1 and 3 correlated with the duration of obstruction (r=-0,48; r=0,59; r=-0,87; r=0.87; correspondingly, p<0,05).

Conclusion:

Thus, spermatogenesis intact in testicular tissues depends on the level and duration of obstruction of seminal tract. Obstruction at the level of epididymis provides more severe damage of spermatogenesis and these changes depend on the duration of pathological process.