Subsequent alterations in the contractile property of the vas deferens according to duration of spermatic cord torsion

Objective: To determine whether twisting of the ipsilateral vas deferens results in alteration of its contractility. Design: Experimental study. Setting: University animal lab. Animal(s): 24 male Wistar rats. Intervention(s): All the rats in the experimental groups underwent spermatic cord torsion. Durations of torsion were 45 minutes, 3 hours, and 24 hours in groups 2, 3, and 4, respectively. In groups 2 and 3, subgroups b were created to evaluate late effects using in vitro pharmacological techniques. Main Outcome Measure(s): The contractility of the vas deferens was evaluated in groups 1, 2a, 3a, and 4 right after and in groups 2b and 3b 48 hours after the initial operation. Result(s): Group 4 and subgroups 2b and 3a had significantly diminished responses compared with the control group, whereas in subgroups 2a and 3b, the responses to noradrenaline and to single-pulse field stimulation were not significantly different. Conclusion(s): The impairment of contractility with the twisting of the vas deferens might be another factor responsible for subfertility, particularly that related to sperm transport. The unfavorable late change in short duration of torsion may be the result of either ischemia and reperfusion injury or sympathetic overactivation in the acute period of torsion. © 2011 American Society for Reproductive Medicine.