VASECTOMY-INDUCED SUPEROXIDE-DISMUTASE INACTIVATION IN THE MALE REPRODUCTIVE-TRACT OF RAT - A PREREQUISITE FOR SPERMATIC GRANULOMA-FORMATION

Postvasectomy spermatic granuloma formation is considered as a favorab le development for vasectomized subjects as it maintains physiological hydrostatic pressure within the male reproductive tract. But, the 'st ate of the art' of the formation of granuloma after vasectomy is not w ell defined. The present study reveals a link between the postvasectom y free radical status of the male tract and spermatic granuloma format ion after vasectomy. A surge in the rate of ascorbyl radical productio n, directly correlated with oxyradical stress and an abrupt fall in su peroxide dismutase activity in the granuloma, indicates 'switching on' of a free radical-dependent machinery for the formation of granuloma after vasectomy.