[Effects of vasectomy on prostatic histomorphology and cell apoptosis in rats].

Objective: To detect the effects of vasectomy on the growth and apoptosis of prostatic tissue cells.

Methods: Forty-five SD rats were divided at random into three groups of fifteen each. Vasectomy (Vsm) model was established by ligating the bilateral vas deferens of the rats in Group A and testosterone propionate and normal saline were subcutaneously injected in those of Groups B and C, respectively. The area percentage of each part in the prostatic tissue was measured with computer-assisted image analysis system. The apoptotic rate was examined with TUNEL.

Results: The ratio of stromal area to epithelial plus lumen area in the prostatic tissues in Groups A, B and C were (29.20 +/- 6.85), (39.77 +/- 7.58) and (48.90 +/- 6.49), respectively, and the differences were significant statistically (P all < 0.05). The apoptosis rates in Groups A, B and C were (6.39 +/- 0.84)%, (2.62 +/- 0.57)% and (4.58 +/- 0.93)%, respectively, significantly higher in Group A than in Groups B and C (P all < 0.05).

Conclusion: Vasectomy may induce interstitium reduction and cell apoptosis in the prostatic tissues of rats, which may help prevent benign prostatic hyperplasia.