[Epididymal diseases and repercussions on testicular function].

Abstract

The epididymis is the target of different infections that interfere first with the physiological capacity of the organ and furthermore with the transit of spermatozoa. Epididymal blocks do interfere with testicular function in about 20% of the cases. According to the pathological agents epididymal blocks will be located either in the initial segments of the epididymis (tuberculosis) or in the lower segments of the organ (gonococcus) or they can interfere with the total structure (chlamydia). Epididymal blocks can be either complete or incomplete and the transit difficulties create lesions of the tubules due to progressive rupture and secondary fibrosis.