The role of the human epididymis in sperm maturation and sperm storage as reflected in the consequences of epididymovasostomy

Abstract

Epididymovasostomy has been used for examination of the role of particular regions of the epididymis in sperm maturation and storage, as reflected in fertility and in the motility, structural, and surface character, and also the number of the spermatozoa ejaculated. Human spermatozoa need be exposed only to the environment in the caput before passing into the vas deferens, in order to complete their maturation. However, the chance of pregnancy appears greater where the anastomosis is lower. Among the sperm characteristics examined, only motility was affected by the level of anastomosis, and there was a trend to higher numbers where the anastomosis was established beyond the upper caput. The storage function of the cauda is discussed in light of the finding that epididymovasostomy patients sometimes ejaculate sperm numbers seen in normal men.