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Mechanisms of Development Feb 2019This study utilizes morphological and mechanistic endpoints to characterize the onset of bilateral atresia of the vas deferens in a recently derived cystic fibrosis (CF)...
This study utilizes morphological and mechanistic endpoints to characterize the onset of bilateral atresia of the vas deferens in a recently derived cystic fibrosis (CF) rat model. Embryonic reproductive structures, including Wolffian (mesonephric) duct, Mullerian (paramesonephric) duct, mesonephric tubules, and gonad, were shown to mature normally through late embryogenesis, with involution of the vas deferens and/or epididymis typically occurring between birth and postnatal day 4 (P4), although timing and degree of atresia varied. No evidence of mucus obstruction, which is associated with pathology in other CF-affected tissues, was observed at any embryological or postnatal time point. Reduced epididymal coiling was noted post-partum and appeared to coincide with, or predate, loss of more distal vas deferens structure. Remarkably, α smooth muscle actin expression in cells surrounding duct epithelia was markedly diminished in CF animals by P2.5 when compared to wild type counterparts, indicating reduced muscle development. RNA-seq and immunohistochemical analysis of affected tissues showed disruption of developmental signaling by Wnt and related pathways. The findings have relevance to vas deferens loss in humans with CF, where timing of ductular damage is not well characterized and underlying mechanisms are not understood. If vas deferens atresia in humans begins in late gestation and continues through early postnatal life, emerging modulator therapies given perinatally might preserve and enhance integrity of the reproductive tract, which is otherwise absent or deficient in 97% of males with cystic fibrosis.
Topics: Actins; Animals; Cystic Fibrosis; Epididymis; Female; Male; Mucus; Pregnancy; Rats; Vas Deferens
PubMed: 30391480
DOI: 10.1016/j.mod.2018.10.002 -
BMC Urology Aug 2014Insufficient vas length for performing a tension-free vasovasostomy is a problem occasionally encountered by microsurgeons. Herein we evaluated utilization of a...
BACKGROUND
Insufficient vas length for performing a tension-free vasovasostomy is a problem occasionally encountered by microsurgeons. Herein we evaluated utilization of a non-vascularized vas deferens autograft in a rat model.
METHODS
Segments of isolated vas deferens, 2.5 cm in length, were used as bilateral autografts in 15 rats. Each autograft was implanted between the two transected ends of vas deferens using end-to-end anastomosis. Fertility, sperm motility, and graft survival was evaluated and compared with the control group.
RESULTS
At the end of the 3 months, 9/15 (60%) rats were able to breed successfully and 24 (80%) vas grafts were patent and viable. Large granulomata developed at the proximal anastomosis sites in 6 (20%) autografts that failed. Unilateral minimal fluid leakage was observed in 6 (20%) of the proximal (testicular end) anastomosis sites in those rats that were able to breed. Histological evaluations demonstrated that graft survival was associated with mild to severe changes in the structure of the vas autograft. On semen analysis 76% of the sperms in the experimental group had forward motility compared to 78% in the control group (p > 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
Vas autograft can successfully be performed in a rat model with ultimate breeding capability.
Topics: Anastomosis, Surgical; Animals; Autografts; Azoospermia; Feasibility Studies; Fertility; Graft Survival; Male; Microsurgery; Models, Animal; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Sperm Motility; Transplantation, Autologous; Vas Deferens; Vasovasostomy
PubMed: 25103862
DOI: 10.1186/1471-2490-14-61 -
International Braz J Urol : Official... 2016
Topics: Humans; Infertility, Male; Male; Spermatozoa; Urologists; Vas Deferens; Vasectomy
PubMed: 27716455
DOI: 10.1590/S1677-5538.IBJU.2016.05.03 -
BioMed Research International 2019The pathophysiology of Taiwanese congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens (CBAVD) is different from that in Caucasians. In particular, major cystic fibrosis...
BACKGROUND
The pathophysiology of Taiwanese congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens (CBAVD) is different from that in Caucasians. In particular, major cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) mutations and cystic fibrosis are absent in the former. Instead, deficiency in solute carrier family 9 sodium/hydrogen exchanger isoform 3 (SLC9A3) may play a role by generating obstructive azoospermia and degraded epithelial structure in the reproductive tract.
OBJECTIVES
The objective of the study was to test whether SLC9A3 variants cause Taiwanese CBAVD.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Six-month-old male mice were used to evaluate the effect of long-term SLC9A3 loss on the reproductive system. A case-control cohort of 29 men with CBAVD and 32 fertile men were genotyped for SLC9A3 variants.
RESULTS
SLC9A3 was expressed and localized in the apical border of the epithelium of human vas deferens and glandular epithelium of the seminal vesicle. SLC9A3 deficiency specifically induces atrophy of vas deferens and unfolding of seminal vesicle mucosa in mice. Loss of SLC9A3 increased the incidence of CBAVD in humans from 3.1% to 37.9% (p < 0.001). Up to 75.9% of CBAVD patients carry at least one variant in either SLC9A3 or CFTR.
DISCUSSION
Our findings build upon previous data associated with CBAVD pathogenesis. Here, we now report for the first time an association between CBAVD and loss of and propose that specific defects in the reproductive duct due to variants drive CBAVD development.
CONCLUSION
The data implicate loss of SLC9A3 as a basis of Taiwanese CBAVD and highlight SLC9A3 function in reproduction.
Topics: Animals; Asian People; Gene Deletion; Humans; Male; Male Urogenital Diseases; Mice; Mice, Knockout; Sodium-Hydrogen Exchanger 3; Taiwan; Vas Deferens
PubMed: 30956978
DOI: 10.1155/2019/3562719 -
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 -
Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine Feb 2002
Topics: Humans; Male; Scrotum; Vas Deferens; Vasectomy
PubMed: 11823566
DOI: 10.1177/014107680209500225 -
The Eugenics Review Oct 1964
Topics: Humans; Male; Vas Deferens
PubMed: 5879396
DOI: No ID Found -
Medicine Mar 2019To investigate the sonographic findings of the vas deferens in male genital tuberculosis.The ultrasonographic findings of the vas deferens of 19 cases of genital... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
To investigate the sonographic findings of the vas deferens in male genital tuberculosis.The ultrasonographic findings of the vas deferens of 19 cases of genital tuberculosis were retrospectively analyzed.According to the pathological and ultrasound findings, the ultrasonographic appearances of the vas deferens tuberculosis could be divided into 4 groups, 1 of normal sonograms, 3 of abnormal sonograms. The abnormal ultrasonographic appearances of the vas deferens tuberculosis were considered 3 categories as follows: diffusely thickening of vas deferens, nodular thickening of vas deferens, and space-occupying lesions adjacent to the vas deferens.The ultrasound manifestations of vas deferens in tuberculosis of the male genital system have certain characteristics. Combination of clinical manifestations, history of tuberculosis, experimental antituberculosis treatment, and ultrasound examination of vas deferens can suggest tuberculosis of vas deferens. Furthermore, it can provide objective basis for the comprehensive and noninvasive evaluation of the impact of genital tuberculosis on the reproductive ability for further treatments.
Topics: Adult; China; Humans; Male; Retrospective Studies; Tuberculosis, Male Genital; Ultrasonography; Vas Deferens
PubMed: 30882677
DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000014843 -
Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta Aug 2006The male reproductive tract and accessory glands comprise a complex but interrelated system of tissues that are composed of many distinct cell types, all of which... (Review)
Review
The male reproductive tract and accessory glands comprise a complex but interrelated system of tissues that are composed of many distinct cell types, all of which contribute to the ability of spermatozoa to carry out their ultimate function of fertilizing an oocyte. Spermatozoa undergo their final steps of maturation as they pass through the male excurrent duct, which includes efferent ducts, the epididymis and the vas deferens. The composition of the luminal environment in these organs is tightly regulated. Major fluid reabsorption occurs in efferent ducts and in the epididymis, and leads to a significant increase in sperm concentration. In the distal epididymis and vas deferens, fluid secretion controls the final fluidity of the luminal content. Therefore, the process of water movement in the excurrent duct is a crucial step for the establishment of male fertility. Aquaporins contribute to transepithelial water transport in many tissues, including the kidney, the brain, the eye and the respiratory tract. The present article reviews our current knowledge regarding the distribution and function of aquaporins in the male excurrent duct.
Topics: Animals; Aquaporins; Ejaculatory Ducts; Epididymis; Fertility; Male; Rats; Vas Deferens
PubMed: 16935257
DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2006.06.026 -
Asian Journal of Andrology 2023Patients with congenital unilateral absence of the vas deferens (CUAVD) manifest diverse symptoms from normospermia to azoospermia. Treatment for CUAVD patients with...
Patients with congenital unilateral absence of the vas deferens (CUAVD) manifest diverse symptoms from normospermia to azoospermia. Treatment for CUAVD patients with obstructive azoospermia (OA) is complicated, and there is a lack of relevant reports. In this study, we describe the clinical features and evaluate the treatments and outcomes of CUAVD patients with OA. From December 2015 to December 2020, 33 patients were diagnosed as CUAVD with OA in Shanghai General Hospital (Shanghai, China). Patient information, ultrasound findings, semen analysis, hormone profiles, and treatment information were collected, and the clinical outcomes were evaluated. Of 33 patients, 29 patients were retrospectively analyzed. Vasoepididymostomy (VE) or cross VE was performed in 12 patients, the patency rate was 41.7% (5/12), and natural pregnancy was achieved in one of the patients. The other 17 patients underwent testicular sperm extraction as the distal vas deferens (contralateral side) was obstructed. These findings showed that VE or cross VE remains an alternative treatment for CUAVD patients with OA, even with a relatively low rate of patency and natural pregnancy.
Topics: Pregnancy; Female; Humans; Male; Vas Deferens; Azoospermia; Epididymis; Retrospective Studies; Tertiary Care Centers; China; Semen
PubMed: 35381699
DOI: 10.4103/aja20225