An evaluation of morphologic changes of prostate after vasectomy in rats

Experimental studies were performed in order to test vasectomy side effects simultaneously with its acceptance as a proper method of contraception. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of vasectomy on the morphology of prostate in male Albino N-Mari rats. Fourthy rats were divided randomly into four groups; bilateral vasectomy, unilateral vasectomy, sham and control group. Twelve weeks after the vasectomy, the animals were killed. The animal's prostates were taken out and after determining their weight, they were immersed in Buin's fixative solution to prepare them for the light microscope study. Data was analyzed by unpaired statistical t-test. Our results suggested that the surface density of prostate ducts in the bilateral and unilateral vasectomized groups show significant decrease (p<0.01) and p<0.05) compared to the control group. Epithelial thickness in the central part of the prostate in the bilateral vasectomized group showed significant decrease (p<0.05) compared to the control group. The body weight in both vasectomized groups showed significant increase (p<0.01 and p<0.05) compared to the control group. The prostate weight of the bilateral vasectomized group showed significant increase (p<0.05) comprared to the control group. Significant changes in the morphological factors, plus the increase in the stromal edema, gland's folds and cystic changes in the prostates of the bilateral vasectonized group were observed. But, due to the absence of dysplasia and atypia, no progressive changes toward the malignancy were detected.