We aim to investigate the effect of vasectomy on the histology of the testis as well as to
evaluate DNA fragmentation in testicular tissue of male mice. Methods: Bilateral vasectomy was performed
on 20 mature male mice; 10 control mice underwent sham-operation. After 6 weeks, the testes were
evaluated for histological changes and DNA fragmentation by single cell gel electrophoresis (comet assay).
Results: Marked alterations were observed in the testes of vasectomized mice, including degeneration
of spermatids, thickened basement membrane, dilatation of the seminiferous tubules, exfoliation of
germ cells, reduction in the seminiferous cell population, vacuolated appearance of the epithelium in the
tubules and marked interstitial fibrosis. Single cell gel electrophoresis showed a highly significant (P<0.0001)
increase in DNA damage among vasectomized mice (46.02%) compared with control group (%27.17)
after six weeks of operation. Conclusion: Vasectomy induced deterioration in the seminiferous tubules
associated with increased testicular cell’s DNA fragmentation.