The duration of fertility and the histological changes in the reproductive organs after ligation of the vasa efferentia in the rat

Abstract

In a previous paper (White, 1932) the survival of spermatozoa in the male rat after ligation of the vasa efferentia was reported, motility being the criterion of survival. An attempt has now been made to determine the duration of fertility in animals similarly treated and to correlate motility with fertility. Data on these subjects are given in the present paper, together with certain observation on the histological changes occuring in the reproductive system after vasa-efferentia ligation. Material and Methods.—Fifty-three males and a larger number of females were used in this work. The procedure of vasa-efferentia ligation was the same as used in previous studies and was briefly as follows: under full anæthesia with ether, a median incision was made in the scrotum, exposing the tunica vaginalis of the testis. The testis and epididymis were then withdrawn, through an opening in this sheath, and the vasa efferentia (ductuli efferentes) dissected out of the fast lying between the testis and the head of the eppidiymis. These ducts were carefully ligated in two places and severed between the ligatures. The testis and epididymis were then replaced in the sheath, which was sutured with silk, and the skin wound closed with suture clips. Aseptic technique was used throughout.