Avaliação a curto prazo da vasectomia com e sem ligadura dos vasos deferenciais em coelhos (Oryctolagus cunniculus)

Abstract

The testicular and epididymal changes that may occur after vasectomy have been reported in several studies, however, few studies have reported that these short-term effects may be associated with trauma caused by injuries due to surgical access or the compromising of deferential vessels. Ultrasonography is the most appropriate method for this postsurgical evaluation because it allows to evaluate all the testicular parenchyma and much of the epididymal, and besides being a non-invasive, inexpensive and very safe method. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the sonographic changes of the testes and epididymis of rabbits associated to the bilateral vasectomy, related to the interruption of the flow of sperm, the acess and the surgical manipulation, besides the obstruction of deferential vessels. Twenty three New Zealand rabbits of approximately five months of age were used and divided into four groups: Control group without surgery (n = 5), Control Group with Sham Vasectomy (n = 6), Bilateral Vasectomy (n = 6) and Bilateral Vasectomy with Ligation of Deferential Vessels (n = 6), that underwent to the sonographic exam in the zero moment, and again after four weeks, when they were euthanized to check out the bands. The sonographic comparison between the two time points showed that, in the control and sham vasectomy, no significant morphological changes, nor echogenicity were observed. In the two groups where the vasectomy was performed, it was observed a bilateral increase in the tails of the epididymides and a diffuse decrease in their ecogenicity. In the vasectomy groups and sham vasectomy, no sonographic abnormalities were observed. In the two groups in which the vasectomy was performed, a bilateral increase in the tails of the epididymis and diffuse decrease of their ecogenicity were observed. Only the epididymal heads of vasectomized animals with ligation of deferential vessels had bilateral reduction of their length. In three animals that had blocked deferential vessels unilaterally presented a well-defined hypoechoic structure Regarding the testes, a unilateral increase of size was observed in the vasectomy group with ligation of vessels, without changing its echogenicity. In the group of vasectomy without ligation of vessels, we observed hypo/anechoic areas in the testicular parenchyma in two animals. This study concluded that vasectomy may be linked to early changes in the epididymis and testis.