These tools will no longer be maintained as of December 31, 2024. Archived website can be found here. PubMed4Hh GitHub repository can be found here. Contact NLM Customer Service if you have questions.


Pubmed for Handhelds

PUBMED FOR HANDHELDS

Search MEDLINE/PubMed

  • Title: Immunological effects of vasectomy.
    Author: Henry JB, Derrick Fc J.
    Journal: JAMA; 1973 Aug 06; 225(6):642. PubMed ID: 12333199.
    Abstract:
    A pathologist and a urologist respond to a question about the advers e physical effects following vasectomy. J.B. Henry, the pathologist, reports that a substantial amount of information exists pertaining to the immunological consequences of vasectomy. Several studies have revea led the presence of sperm agglutinins in men who had undergone vasectomy 20 to 25 years previously, and 1 study reported circulating sperm-agglutinating and sperm-immobilizing antibodies in more than 1/2 of the vasectomy patients studied. It has been shown that spermatozoa have a sperm-coating antigen as well as histocompatibility locus A (HL-A) specific antigens in the cell membrane. Obstruction of the vas deferens apparently yields postanatomic alterations with pathologic resorption of sperm which may predispose the antibody-forming apparatus to sperms in such a manner that antibodies are formed. A report at the 13th International Congress of the International Society of Blood Transfusion revealed that cytotoxic antibodies that may have HL-A specificity were seen in 9 of 12 patients, in contrast to virtually a negative appearance in a control group. The urologist, F.C. Derrick, Jr., reports that most adverse effects following vasectomy are primarily local: postoperative complications of wound infection, epididymitis, prostatitis, orchitis, and epididymal or testicular abscess. Occasionally, there is a spontaneous rechannelization of the vas deferens, resulting in a pregnancy. Adverse psychological reactions are not considered a problem with proper counseling. Some investigators have noted the development of sperm autoantibodies in some men following the operation. To date they have not been linked with any disease. There is a less than 25% success rate of vasovasostomy, indicating perhaps the presence of hormonal or chemical changes in the testis and seminal vesicles.
    [Abstract] [Full Text] [Related] [New Search]