ABSTRACT
It is claimed that around 100 million men worldwide have undergone vasectomy for birth control. Vasectomy is an operation to prevent the transfer of sperm by preventing the luminal continuity of the vas deferens. Degenerative changes after vasectomy usually start with loss of spermatogenic cells in the germinal epithelium, while Sertoli cells are affected later. There is no change in Leydig cells. Zinc, which is found at high rates in the male reproductive system, is an element in the structure of many enzymes necessary for cell membrane integrity, growth and sexual maturity.
In this study, bilateral vasectomy was performed on 18 young adult male rats and control operation was performed on 18 rats. Afterwards, 6 animals from each group were sacrificed after 6 weeks, 12 weeks and 12 months. Germinal epithelium, tubule structure, basement membrane, interstitium and collagen fiber changes were examined at microscope and transmission electron microscope level. On the other hand, zinc content in testicular tissue was measured by Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Six weeks after vasectomy, localized losses in the germinal epithelium and disorganization of spermatogenic cells were observed. In addition to the loss of spermatogenic cells at the 12th week, separations, thickening and an increase in the collagen fiber in the peritubular area were observed in the interstitium and perinuclear area. Tissue zinc content was also found to be the lowest in the 12 months group.
In conclusion, our study showed that the degenerative changes in the rat testis that increased with time after vasectomy were parallel to the decrease in tissue zinc content.
Competing Interest Statement
The authors have declared no competing interest.
