Formation of Antisperm Autoantibodies in Rats Vasectomized at Prefertile Age

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Abstract
Bilateral vasectomy was performed in 40 inbred Lewis rats. Twenty prefertile rats were operated upon at the age of 2–3 weeks and 20 adult rats at the age of 10–11 weeks. Sera were sampled 16 and 8 weeks later respectively. Circulating antisperm antibodies were demonstrated in 90% of the vasectomized rats by means of the indirect immunofluorescence technique. No significant difference between the two groups could be found. Sham-vasectomy was performed in 20 rats aged 2–3 weeks and in 20 rats aged 10–11 weeks. No antisperm antibodies could be detected in sera from either of these groups 16 and 8 weeks respectively postoperatively. Also, no antisperm antibodies could be demonstrated in sera sampled from 5 control rats at the age of 2–3 weeks or in sera sampled preoperatively from the 40 rats aged 10–11 weeks. Sperm granulomas were observed in 95% of the rats vasectomized at the age of 2–3 weeks, almost, all granulomas being located in the epididymis. 95% of the rats vasectomized at the age of 10–11 weeks also developed sperm granulomas. These were located in the proximal end of the vas deferens. The difference in distribution was significant (p<0.001).