Atresia of vas deferens Save
ICD-10 code: Q55.3
Chapter: Congenital malformations, deformations and chromosomal abnormalities
Understanding Atresia of Vas Deferens
Atresia of Vas Deferens, also known as congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens (CBAVD), is a rare genetic condition that affects male fertility. It is caused by the absence or blockage of the vas deferens, the tubes that carry sperm from the testicles to the urethra during ejaculation.
CBAVD is usually diagnosed in men who have difficulty conceiving a child, and it is often associated with cystic fibrosis. In fact, up to 95% of men with CBAVD also have mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene, which is responsible for producing a protein that helps regulate the transport of salt and water in and out of cells.
Symptoms of Atresia of Vas Deferens
Men with CBAVD may not have any symptoms, as the absence or blockage of the vas deferens does not affect the production of sperm in the testicles. However, they may have difficulty conceiving a child, and may require assisted reproductive technologies such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) to achieve a successful pregnancy.
Treatment for Atresia of Vas Deferens
Currently, there is no cure for CBAVD, but there are several treatment options available to help men with this condition conceive a child. These include:
- In vitro fertilization (IVF) - This is a procedure where an egg is fertilized by sperm outside the body, and the resulting embryo is then transferred to the uterus.
- Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) - This is a procedure where a single sperm is injected directly into an egg, and the resulting embryo is then transferred to the uterus.
- Surgical sperm retrieval - This is a procedure where sperm is extracted directly from the testicles or epididymis using a needle or surgical procedure, and then used for IVF or ICSI.
Overall, while CBAVD can be a challenging condition to manage, there are several effective treatment options available to help men with this condition achieve their dream of having a child.