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Title: Electrovasography in normal and vasectomized men before and after vasectomy reversal.
Author: Shafik A.
Journal: Int J Androl; 1996 Feb; 19(1):33-8. PubMed ID: 8698536.
Abstract:
The electrical pattern of the vas deferens, or electrovasogram (EVG), was studied in 22 healthy volunteers, 20 vasectomy subjects and 18 individuals after vasectomy reversal. Their mean ages were 38.8 +/- 7.3, 44.3 +/- 7.9 and 58.6 +/- 6.6 years, respectively. Two electrodes were applied to the posterior aspect of the upper part of the scrotum. During the operation of vasectomy reversal, an electrode was applied directly to each of the two vasal segments before and immediately after vasovasostomy. The electrical activity and intravasal pressure were measured. In normal subjects, slow waves or pacesetter potentials (PP) were recorded. They had identical frequency and a regular rhythm from the two electrodes and were consistent in the individual subject on all test days. PP were followed randomly by bursts of action potentials (AP). In vasectomized subjects, PP from the proximal vasal segment exhibited an irregular rhythm (vasoarrhythmia). During operation for vasectomy reversal, the proximal vasal segment recorded vasoarrhythmia whereas the distal segment revealed a silent EVG. Intravasal pressure was normal (p > 0.05) in the distal segment but high (p < 0.05) in the proximal segment. EVG performed 1-6 years after vasectomy reversal showed a normal pattern in four subjects and diminished frequency and amplitude in three. These seven subjects had impregnated their wives and had an obstructive interval of < 3 years. The 11 subjects who did not produce a pregnancy had a vasoarrhythmic EVG and an obstructive interval of > 3 years. In conclusion, an EVG could be identified for normal subjects. Vasectomy resulted in a vasoarrhythmic EVG pattern which proved to be correctable by vasectomy reversal if the obstructive interval was short. In Egypt, the electrovasographic (EVG) pattern in men 32-66 years old was studied before and after vasectomy reversal. The study group consisted of 22 healthy volunteers, 20 vasectomized men, and 18 men after vasectomy reversal. In the normal subjects, the frequency, amplitude and velocity of conduction, and time between cycles were consistent on every test day. The slow waves or pacesetter potentials (PP) recorded transcutaneously from the proximal vasal stump of the vasectomized subjects had a lower frequency and amplitude when compared with normal subjects. Specifically, they exhibited vasoarrhythmia. The proximal vasal stump of vasectomy reversal patients exhibited the same vasoarrhythmic pattern as the vasectomized patients. On the other hand, no PP or action potentials (AP) were recorded on the distal vasal stump of the vasectomy reversal patients. At the distal vasal stump during the operation, the intravasal pressure was similar to that of normal values. At the proximal vasal stump, however, the intravasal pressure was significantly higher than normal values (p 0.05). Right after the vasectomy reversal, the intravasal pressure in the proximal vasal stump was much lower than before vasal reversal (p 0.05) but that in the distal stump did not change. 1-7 years after vasectomy reversal, the wives of 7 men had conceived, for a success rate of 38.8%. 4 of these men exhibited a normal EVG pattern, while the other 3 men exhibited a diminished frequency and amplitude and a normal PP pattern. The 7 men had an obstructive interval of 2.5-4 years compared to 4-6 years for the 11 men whose wives did not conceive. These men had a vasoarrhythmic EVG (i.e, irregular frequency, amplitude, and rhythm of PP). These findings show a vasoarrhythmic pattern in vasectomized men and that its normalization depends on the duration of the obstructive interval.

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