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1 Department of Obstetrics and
Gynecology, University of Medicine and
Dentistry of New Jersey/New Jersey
School of Osteopathic Medicine,
Camden, New Jersey
Repeated semen specimens were examined from 24
men who had been vasectomized for periods of time
ranging from two to 31 years. Five-micron filters were
used to collect the spermatozoa in each specimen.
Sperm were found in 62 of the 63 semen specimens
received from the 24 men and in at least one specimen
from each of the men. The mean number of sperm per
specimen was 126.29 (SE = ±32.73) and the range was
from 8 to 2096 sperm per specimen. These data demonstrate the presence of a small number of spermatozoa in
the semen of 24 vasectomized men and suggest that this
is a normal or usual sequela of vasectomy. Additionally, hundreds to thousands of sperm fragments were
noted for each intact sperm that was identifiable as such.
The data suggest that sperm are passed from the epididymis to the urethra through (or past) the site of vasectomy by a mechanism that differs in degree from that
of "recanalization." The term "microrecanalization" is
proposed for this mechanism.
Key words: vasectomy, sperm, follow-up, recanalization, microrecanalization, sperm reappearance
Submitted on December 21, 1981
Revised on February 25, 1982
Accepted on March 4, 1982
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