The effects of vasectomy on the movement of 14C-urea in the seminiferous tubule of the hamster

Abstract

14C-urea entry into the hamster seminiferous tubule (SNT) and cauda epididymidal tubule was observed in intact males and in animals vasectomized for 2 weeks and for 4 months. 14C-urea entry rate and plateau level were significantly increased 4 months postvasectomy. 14C-urea entry into the cauda epididymidis was significantly altered 2 weeks postvasectomy. 2, 4,-dinitrophenol significantly increased 14C-urea concentration in the SNT. This is compatible with the presence of an outward directed energy dependent movement of urea in the hamster SNT. Increasing 14C-urea concentrations in the postvasectomy SNT may be attributable to a failure or inhibition of this physiologic activity.