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Clinical Anatomy (New York, N.Y.) May 2024The purpose of a standard terminology is to facilitate communication. Thus, changing the name of an anatomical structure or the meaning of an anatomical term undermines... (Review)
Review
The purpose of a standard terminology is to facilitate communication. Thus, changing the name of an anatomical structure or the meaning of an anatomical term undermines that aspiration and cuts connections with anatomy's long history. Two types of anatomical terms are the most vulnerable to logical arguments for revision-ones that are descriptive, but viewed, at least by some, as inaccurate, and ones that contain words that are polysemic or vague. A half dozen examples of each type are discussed, including ductus deferens, glandula seminalis, articulationes costochondrales, vulva and fascia. In general, traditional terms should be preserved, but judgments about which terms are traditional should be based on five centuries of modern anatomy, not just the past several decades.
Topics: Male; Female; Humans; Seminal Vesicles; Fascia; Communication; Ribs; Vulva; Anatomy
PubMed: 37377292
DOI: 10.1002/ca.24085 -
Acta Cirurgica Brasileira 2023To evaluate the viability of the porcine vas deferens as a realistic microsurgical training model for vasectomy reversal.
PURPOSE
To evaluate the viability of the porcine vas deferens as a realistic microsurgical training model for vasectomy reversal.
METHODS
The model uses swine testicles (vas deferent), which are usually discarded in large street markets since they are not part of Brazilian cuisine. The spermatic cord was carefully dissected, and the vas deferens were isolated, measuring 10 cm in length. A paper quadrilateral with 5 cm2 was built to delimit the surgical training field. The objective of the model is to simulate only the microsurgical step when the vas deferens are already isolated. The parameters analyzed were: feasibility for reproducing the technique, patency before and after performing the vasovasostomy, cost of the model, ease of acquisition, ease of handling, execution time, and model reproducibility.
RESULTS
The simulator presented low cost. All models made were viable with a texture similar to human, with positive patency obtained in 100% of the procedures. The internal and external diameters of the vas deferens varied between 0.2-0.4 mm and 2-3 mm, respectively, with a mean length of 9 ± 1.2 cm. The total procedure time was 43.28 ± 3.22 minutes.
CONCLUSIONS
The realistic model presented proved to be viable for carrying out vasectomy reversal training, due to its low cost, easy acquisition, and easy handling, and providing similar tissue characteristics to humans.
Topics: Humans; Male; Animals; Swine; Vasovasostomy; Reproducibility of Results; Testis; Spermatic Cord; Brazil
PubMed: 37646762
DOI: 10.1590/acb383023 -
International Journal of Fertility &... Aug 2022We aim to determine the prevalence of renal anomalies in patients with congenital vas deferens agenesis referred for infertility assessment.
Materials and Methods:...We aim to determine the prevalence of renal anomalies in patients with congenital vas deferens agenesis referred for infertility assessment.
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on eligible infertile men from 2016 to 2019. Infertile men who were suspected of obstructive azoospermia were referred to the Ultrasound ward and they were examined by abdominal ultrasound for detecting the genital and kidney anomalies. An informed consent form was filled out by patients. Data was entered into SPSS software 21. Patients were divided into two groups in terms of congenital bilateral absence of vas deferens (CBAVD) or congenital unilateral absence of the vas deferens (CUAVD). Using the Chi-square test kidney anomalies between groups were compared. The P<0.05 was considered significant.
Results: The mean age of participants was 33.05 ± 6.35. The frequency of CBAVD was 66 and the frequency of left side VD and right side VD were 23 and 21, respectively. The percentage of other comorbidities was calculated. Out of 110 cases, 12 (11%) men had coexistence of vas deferens and kidney agenesis. Other studies are in agreement with our findings. Although the percentage of CBAVD and CUAVD were 9.1% and 1.8% respectively, the difference was not significant (P=0.07).
Conclusion: Considering the fact that kidney agenesis is a remarkable congenital anomaly that coexists with the majority of vas deferens agenesis cases and could not be detected by routine laboratory tests or transrectal ultrasound
examination, it should be ruled out with transabdominal ultrasound examination after detection of vas deferens agenesis.PubMed: 36029049
DOI: 10.22074/ijfs.2021.535148.1166 -
Reproduction in Domestic Animals =... May 2022Oxytocin is a peptide hormone that mainly functions to control the contractility of smooth muscles and sex-related steroidogenesis in male reproductive tracts. However,...
Oxytocin is a peptide hormone that mainly functions to control the contractility of smooth muscles and sex-related steroidogenesis in male reproductive tracts. However, specific information concerning this hormone in controlling the reproductive organs of cats is limited. This study aimed to investigate the expression of oxytocin receptors (OTRs) and their signal mediator via prostacyclin synthase (PTGIS) in reproductive structures following oxytocin assisted electroejaculation. In Experiment 1, the testis, cauda epididymis and vas deferens from five cats were examined by immunohistochemistry and quantitative polymerase chain reaction in order to study the responses of OTR and PTGIS mRNA to oxytocin injection. Experiment 2 examined the effect of oxytocin administration prior to electroejaculation on ejaculate characteristics and sperm quality in terms of motility, viability and fertilizing ability. Immunohistochemistry revealed the expression of OTRs in Leydig's, peritubular myoid cells and some spermatogenic cells. The expression was found in the epithelium and smooth muscle of the epididymis and vas deferens. After oxytocin administration, the OTR mRNA was upregulated in the epididymis (p > .05) and vas deferens (p = .01). The expression level of PTGIS mRNA increased in the response to oxytocin treatment only for the vas deferens (p > .05). Oxytocin treatment before electroejaculation resulted in an approximately twofold increase in sperm concentration and total sperm output/ejaculate, while this intervention did not significantly affect ejaculate volume, sperm quality or fertilizing ability. This study concluded that the oxytocin cascade is locally present in the reproductive structures and plays a role in promoting sperm delivery during electroejaculation in cats.
Topics: Animals; Cats; Epididymis; Male; Oxytocin; RNA, Messenger; Receptors, Oxytocin; Testis; Vas Deferens
PubMed: 35044000
DOI: 10.1111/rda.14085 -
Microscopy and Microanalysis : the... Jan 2022The smooth muscle contraction of the vas deferens has the important function of transporting sperm. Interstitial cells (ICs) play a critical role in the pacing and...
The smooth muscle contraction of the vas deferens has the important function of transporting sperm. Interstitial cells (ICs) play a critical role in the pacing and modulation of various smooth muscle organs by interactions with nerves and smooth muscle. Elucidating the three-dimensional (3D) architecture of ICs is important for understanding their spatial relationship on the mesoscale between ICs, smooth muscle cells (SMCs), and nerves. In this study, the 3D ultrastructure of ICs in the smooth muscle layer of murine vas deferens and the spatial relationships between ICs, nerves, and smooth muscles were observed using confocal laser scanning microscopy and focused ion beam/scanning electron microscopy. ICs have sheet-like structures as demonstrated by 3D observation using modern analytical techniques. Sheet-like ICs have two types of 3D structures, one flattened and the other curled. Multiple extracellular vesicle (EV)-like structures were frequently observed in ICs. Various spatial relations were observed in areas between ICs, nerves, and SMCs, which formed a complex 3D network with each other. These results suggest that ICs in the smooth muscle layer of murine vas deferens may have two subtypes with different sheet-like structures and may be involved in neuromuscular signal transmission via physical interaction and EVs.
PubMed: 35078549
DOI: 10.1017/S1431927622000058 -
Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's Archives of... Oct 20226-Nitrodopamine (6-ND) is an endogenous modulator of the contractility in the rat isolated epididymal vas deferens (RIEVD) and considered to be the main peripheral...
6-Nitrodopamine (6-ND) is an endogenous modulator of the contractility in the rat isolated epididymal vas deferens (RIEVD) and considered to be the main peripheral mediator of the emission process. Use of selective and unselective β-adrenergic receptor antagonists has been associated with ejaculatory failure. Here, the effects of selective β- and β/β-adrenergic receptor antagonists on RIEVD contractions induced by 6-ND, dopamine, noradrenaline, adrenaline, and electric-field stimulation (EFS) were investigated. The selective β-adrenergic receptor antagonists atenolol (0.1 and 1 µM), betaxolol (1 µM), and metoprolol (1 µM) and the unselective β/β-adrenergic receptor antagonists propranolol (1 and 10 µM) and pindolol (10 µM) caused significant rightward shifts of the concentration-response curve to 6-ND (pA 6.41, 6.91, 6.75, 6.47, and 5.74; for atenolol, betaxolol, metoprolol, propranolol, and pindolol), but had no effect on dopamine-, noradrenaline-, and adrenaline-induced contractions. The effects of selective β- and β/β-adrenergic receptor antagonists at a higher concentration (atenolol 1 µM, betaxolol 1 µM, metoprolol 1 µM, propranolol 10 µM, and pindolol 10 µM) also reduced the EFS-induced RIEVD contractions in control, but not in RIEVD obtained from L-NAME-treated animals. The selective β-adrenoceptor agonist RO-363, the selective β-adrenoceptor agonist salbutamol, and the selective β-adrenoceptor agonist mirabegron, up to 300 µM, had no effect on the RIEVD tone. The results demonstrate that β- and β-/β-adrenoceptor receptor antagonists act as 6-ND receptor antagonists in RIEVD, further confirming the main role of 6-ND in the RIEVD contractility.
Topics: Adrenergic beta-1 Receptor Antagonists; Adrenergic beta-2 Receptor Antagonists; Adrenergic beta-Agonists; Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; Animals; Atenolol; Betaxolol; Dopamine; Epinephrine; Male; Metoprolol; Norepinephrine; Pindolol; Propranolol; Rats; Vas Deferens
PubMed: 35798982
DOI: 10.1007/s00210-022-02268-6 -
Theriogenology Mar 2018Precise regulation of vas deferens fluid pH is essential for sperm. However, the mechanisms underlying effect of testosterone on vas deferens fluid pH have never been...
UNLABELLED
Precise regulation of vas deferens fluid pH is essential for sperm. However, the mechanisms underlying effect of testosterone on vas deferens fluid pH have never been identified, which could involve changes in expression and functional activity of vacoular (V)-ATPase.
METHODS
Orchidectomized, adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were treated subcutaneously with 125 μg/kg/day and 250 μg/kg/day testosterone with or without flutamide (androgen receptor blocker) and finasteride (5α-reductase inhibitor) for seven (7) days. Following treatment completion, in vivo perfusion of vas deferens lumen was performed and changes in fluid secretion rate, pH and HCO content were measured with and without bafilomycin, a V-ATPase inhibitor. Rats were then sacrificed and vas deferens were harvested and subjected for V-ATPase A1 and B1/2 protein expression and distribution analysis by western blotting and immunohistochemistry, respectively.
RESULTS
In sham-operated and testosterone-treated orchidectomized rats, higher fluid secretion rate, which was not antagonized by bafilomycin but lower HCO content and pH which were antagonized by bafilomycin were observed when compared to orchidectomized-only and orchidectomized, testosterone-treated rats receiving flutamide or finasteride, respectively. Bafilomycin had no effect on fluid secretion rate, HCO content and pH in orchidectomized and testosterone-treated orchidectomized rats receiving flutamide and finasteride. V-ATPase A1 and B1/2 proteins were expressed at high levels in vas deferens and were highly distributed at the apical membrane of luminal epithelium and in muscle layer of this organ, mainly in sham and testosterone-treated orchidectomized rats.
CONCLUSIONS
V-ATPase is involved in acidification of vas deferens fluid under testosterone influence.
Topics: Adenosine Triphosphatases; Androgen Antagonists; Animals; Enzyme Inhibitors; Finasteride; Flutamide; Male; Orchiectomy; Rats; Testosterone; Up-Regulation; Vacuoles; Vas Deferens
PubMed: 29294437
DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2017.12.035 -
Animals : An Open Access Journal From... Apr 2023The objective was to characterize morphological, morphometric, and ultrastructural changes in rhea spermatozoa between the epididymis and the vas deferens. Sperm samples...
The objective was to characterize morphological, morphometric, and ultrastructural changes in rhea spermatozoa between the epididymis and the vas deferens. Sperm samples were collected from the reproductive tracts of seven adult individuals and evaluated for sperm characteristics using brightfield microscopy as well as ultrastructural features using scanning electron microscopy (SM). Mean sperm count tended to increase in the vas deferens (378.0 ± 135.0 × 10) compared to the epididymis (201.0 ± 77.4 × 10). Percentages of motile sperm grew from 37.0 ± 4.9% in the epididymis to 58.5 ± 7.7% in the vas deferens. The proportion of normal spermatozoa was 75.6 ± 1.8% and most common defects were bent tails (9.7 ± 0.9%). However, these proportions were not different between epididymis and vas deferens. SM analysis revealed further features of rhea spermatozoa. Normal rhea spermatozoa were threadlike with an acrosome (0.95 ± 0.0 µm), head (7.53 ± 0.01 µm), midpiece (2.08 ± 0.01 µm), and tail (30.7 ± 0.06 µm). Lengths of sperm acrosome, head, midpiece, and tail were longer in the vas deferens compared to the epididymis. Our findings suggest that rhea spermatozoa undergo a maturation process during the passage from the epididymis to the vas deferens.
PubMed: 37174520
DOI: 10.3390/ani13091483 -
World Journal of Urology Dec 2023Vasovasostomy is used to correct vas deferens (VD) transections encountered during surgery or to reverse sterilization vasectomies. Achieving vasal patency is the...
PURPOSE
Vasovasostomy is used to correct vas deferens (VD) transections encountered during surgery or to reverse sterilization vasectomies. Achieving vasal patency is the primary goal and the success is assessed on various factors including VD patency, flow rates, and pregnancy rates. While preserving vas motility is not a major concern in surgical practice, it is worth noting that VD has peristaltic activity which plays crucial role during ejaculation. Any disruption in its motility could potentially lead to negative outcomes in the future. We conducted an experimental study to assess vas motility changes following vasovasostomy.
METHODS
The study was approved by Gazi University, Animals Ethic Committee. Twenty-four rats were allocated to four groups. Left-sided VD was harvested in control group (Gr1). The rest of the animals were subjected to transection of VD. Gr2 and 3 underwent microscopic and macroscopic anastomosis, respectively, while Gr4 underwent vasal approximation. After 12 weeks, all left-sided VD were resected, electrical field stimulation (EFS) and exogenous drugs were applied to induce contractions. Statistical analyses were performed and p value < 0.05 was regarded as statistically significant.
RESULTS
The first and second phases of EFS-induced contractile responses(CR) increased for Gr3 and decreased for Gr4 at submaximal and maximal frequencies. An increase only at maximal frequency for second phase EFS-induced CR was encountered for Gr2. α-β-methylene-ATP-induced CR decreased for Gr3 and 4. Noradrenaline-induced CR increased for Gr2, and 3 and decreased for Gr4.
CONCLUSION
The results suggest that vasovasostomy performed using a surgical technique that minimizes disruption or damage to VD may have a favorable impact on motility.
Topics: Humans; Male; Rats; Animals; Vas Deferens; Vasovasostomy; Pelvis; Electric Stimulation; Norepinephrine
PubMed: 37880539
DOI: 10.1007/s00345-023-04668-6 -
ELife Jul 2020Following testicular spermatogenesis, mammalian sperm continue to mature in a long epithelial tube known as the epididymis, which plays key roles in remodeling sperm...
Following testicular spermatogenesis, mammalian sperm continue to mature in a long epithelial tube known as the epididymis, which plays key roles in remodeling sperm protein, lipid, and RNA composition. To understand the roles for the epididymis in reproductive biology, we generated a single-cell atlas of the murine epididymis and vas deferens. We recovered key epithelial cell types including principal cells, clear cells, and basal cells, along with associated support cells that include fibroblasts, smooth muscle, macrophages and other immune cells. Moreover, our data illuminate extensive regional specialization of principal cell populations across the length of the epididymis. In addition to region-specific specialization of principal cells, we find evidence for functionally specialized subpopulations of stromal cells, and, most notably, two distinct populations of clear cells. Our dataset extends on existing knowledge of epididymal biology, and provides a wealth of information on potential regulatory and signaling factors that bear future investigation.
Topics: Animals; Epididymis; Male; Mice; Single-Cell Analysis; Vas Deferens
PubMed: 32729827
DOI: 10.7554/eLife.55474