expression of galectin-3 as a testis inflammatory marker in vasectomised mice

objective: vasectomy, though in some cases are being confronted with irreversibility, has been accepted as an effective contraceptive method. it is estimated that near 2-6% of vasectomised men ultimately show a tendency to restore their fertility. in some cases, vasectomy has been considered as an irreversible procedure due to many post-vasectomy complications causing this debate. the aim of present study was to investigate the pattern of expression of galectin-3, an inflammatory factor secreted by macrophages and immune cells, following the vasectomy in mice testis tissue. materials and methods: in this experimental study, twenty mature male balb/c mice, aged two months, were divided into two equal groups: sham and vasectomised groups (n=10). they were sacrificed four months after vasectomy, while the pattern of galectin-3 expression was investigated using a standard immunohistochemistry technique on testicular tissues. stereological analyses of testes parameters in vasectomised and sham-operated groups were compared by mixed model analysis. results: based on observations, although galectin-3 was not expressed in sham-operated group, it was expressed in 40% of testicular tissues of vasectomised mice, like: seminiferous tubules, interstitial tissues and tunica albugina. also, our result showed a significant alteration in number of germ and sertoli cells of testicular tissue in vasectomised group in comparison to sham-operated group. in addition, the result of mixed model method confirmed a significant reduction in germ and sertoli cells of vasectomised group. conclusion: the expression of galectin-3 at different parts of testicular tissue in vasectomised group is higher than sham group. this express illustrates the increase of degenerative changes and inflammation reactions in testicular tissue, leading to chronic complications and infertility, after the vasovasostomy.