3
Views
15
CrossRef citations to date
0
Altmetric
Original Article

Formation of Antisperm Autoantibodies in Rats Vasectomized at Prefertile Age

, &
Pages 277-281 | Received 01 Nov 1982, Published online: 15 Feb 2010
 

Abstract

Bilateral vasectomy was performed in 40 inbred Lewis rats. Twenty prefertile rats were operated upon at the age of 2–3 weeks and 20 adult rats at the age of 10–11 weeks. Sera were sampled 16 and 8 weeks later respectively. Circulating antisperm antibodies were demonstrated in 90% of the vasectomized rats by means of the indirect immunofluorescence technique. No significant difference between the two groups could be found. Sham-vasectomy was performed in 20 rats aged 2–3 weeks and in 20 rats aged 10–11 weeks. No antisperm antibodies could be detected in sera from either of these groups 16 and 8 weeks respectively postoperatively. Also, no antisperm antibodies could be demonstrated in sera sampled from 5 control rats at the age of 2–3 weeks or in sera sampled preoperatively from the 40 rats aged 10–11 weeks. Sperm granulomas were observed in 95% of the rats vasectomized at the age of 2–3 weeks, almost, all granulomas being located in the epididymis. 95% of the rats vasectomized at the age of 10–11 weeks also developed sperm granulomas. These were located in the proximal end of the vas deferens. The difference in distribution was significant (p<0.001).

Reprints and Corporate Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

To request a reprint or corporate permissions for this article, please click on the relevant link below:

Academic Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

Obtain permissions instantly via Rightslink by clicking on the button below:

If you are unable to obtain permissions via Rightslink, please complete and submit this Permissions form. For more information, please visit our Permissions help page.