RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ANTISPERM ANTIBODIES AND TESTICULAR HISTOLOGIC-CHANGES IN HUMANS AFTER VASECTOMY

Objective. To determine whether or not there is an association between testicular histologic changes and antisperm antibodies in vasectomize d men. Methods. Morphometry was performed on testicular biopsy specime ns obtained from 19 vasectomized men and 21 fertile control subjects. Antisperm antibody status was determined on the serum of each patient and control subject using the indirect immunobead assay. Results. Sign ificant increases in seminiferous tubule wall thickness (p < 0.001), f ocal interstitial fibrosis (p < 0.001), and percent composition of int erstitium (p < 0.01) were observed in vasectomized men as compared wit h control subjects. Serum antisperm activity was present in 74 percent of the vasectomized men but none in the control subjects (p < 0.001). There was no association between testicular histologic changes and im mune status. Conclusions. Vasectomized men exhibit significant testicu lar histologic changes and increased autoimmune activity as compared w ith fertile control subjects. These histologic changes are not directl y associated with antisperm antibody status, suggesting that some othe r pathophysiologic process must be responsible.