The effects of vasectomy on the testis and accessory sex glands of the Hartley strain guinea pig

The short term effects of bilateral vasectomy on the testis and the accessory sex glands of the guinea pig were compared with the effects of sham operation and unilateral vasectomy at 3, 5, 7, and 9 weeks after operation. The testis weights, sorbitol dehydrogenase activity, histology, epididymal sperm number, and motility were recorded. Accessory sex glands were weighed and chemically analyzed for fructose and citric acid content. The citric acid concentration of the dorsolateral prostate of the bilateral vasectomy group was significantly higher than concentrations in sham-operated and unilateral vasectomy groups at 3 weeks only. This may indicate transient hormonal derangement as a result of vasectomy. No significant differences were noted between testes of vasectomy and sham-operated groups. The unligated side testes of the unilateral vasectomy group were different from the testes of vasectomy and sham-operated groups. We conclude that interruption and ligation of the vas deferens itself has no effect on the testis of the guinea pig. Furthermore, all vasectomy experiments should include sham-operated controls.