Vasectomy is one of the most common form of male contraception. It has been reported that vasovasostomy had little success in refertilization. One reason might be because of changes in the epididymis and its effects on growth of sperm cells. This study is concerned with histopathologic changes in rats after vasectomy. Thirty rats were divided in groups; bilateral vasectomy group, right vasectomy, left side sham - operated group and bilateral sham - operated group. In each group one half were sacrificed after two months and the others after four months post-operation. Their epididymis was removed and stained and then observed under microscope. Rupture of tubules, cysts, sperm gronuloma, increase of interstitial soft tissues, increase in leukocytes, detachment of epithelial cells, necrosis of tissues of the epididymis, excuda and degeneration of sperm were observed in the cauda of epididymis of the vasectomized group. In the sham groups everything was normal and no changes were observed. There were no considerable differences between the caput and corpus of the epididymis of vasectomized and sham groups.

More and improved contraceptive options are urgently needed to provide safe and sustained effective fertility control for the world population. Vaccine approach based on sperm antigens coming either from the testis or the epididymis would definitely be a valuable addition to existing armamentarium of different approaches used for family planning. For the purpose of immunocontraception, it may be desirable not to disrupt spermatogenesis and testicular function. In order to use the epididymis as a target for contraception, it is important to understand the different roles played by epididymal proteins in sperm maturation. Importance of epididymal maturation is highlighted by the fact that a high proportion of male infertility in human originates from the malfunction of the epididymis. Identification of newer epididymal proteins and annotating their function will help in understanding the mechanism of sperm maturation and the sequence of events therein. Selecting epididymal targets for contraception will specifically alter the fertilization ability of sperm without any side effects. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) have been used as a powerful tool for identification of newer sperm proteins. However, conventional hybridoma technology rarely provides a chance to obtain mAbs to epididymal proteins. To increase this chance, we have successfully used a novel approach of neonatal tolerization. Using this approach, a number of monoclonal antibodies specific to epididymal proteins were raised. These antibodies were of the agglutinating type, and identified proteins specific to epididymis. By indirect immunofluorescence, the antibodies localized the proteins on different domains of sperm, indicating the importance of epididymal proteins in domain specific functions essential for successful fertilization. These antibodies therefore could be used as tools for unraveling the importance of epididymal proteins in sperm maturation ultimately leading to fertilization.

Introduction: The epididymis is a tubule that processes the maturation, storing and transferring of sperms. Growth and maintenance of epididymis structures is depending on testosterone hormone release, that respectively the release of testosterone hormone directly controlled by hypophysis gonadotropin hormones. And also gonadotropins controlled by the hypothalamus releasing hormones. Using the GnRH analogs can stop the gonado-hypophysis axis.This study aimed at determining the effect of GnRH agonist on the immature rat's epididymal tissue.Materials and Methods: In these study 20 rats in 25 th of birth day divided into 2 groups (n=10).The study group received 0.1 mg/ml gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist and control group received physiologic serum 0.1 mg/ml for 5 days. and then rats were dissected in 30 th of birth day. Their epididymis were isolated and processed for histological study.Results: Finding reveals that epithelium height and lumen diameter, in control and study groups differ significantly (p£0.05). But no significant difference is seen in muscular thickness.Conclusion: This study shows that short term prescription of GnRH, increase the growth of epithelium and diameter of lumen in epididymis. And no affect muscle.