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Genetics Home Reference: your guide to understanding genetic conditions
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Congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens

Reviewed January 2008

What is congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens?

Congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens occurs in males when the tubes that carry sperm out of the testes (the vas deferens) fail to develop properly. Although the testes usually develop and function normally, sperm cannot be transported through the vas deferens to become part of semen. As a result, men with this condition are unable to father children (infertile) unless they use assisted reproductive technologies. This condition has not been reported to affect sex drive or sexual performance.

This condition can occur alone or as a sign of cystic fibrosis, an inherited disease of the mucus glands. Cystic fibrosis causes progressive damage to the respiratory system and chronic digestive system problems. Many men with congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens do not have the other characteristic features of cystic fibrosis; however, some men with this condition may experience mild respiratory or digestive problems.

How common is congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens?

This condition is responsible for 1 percent to 2 percent of all infertility in men.

What genes are related to congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens?

Mutations in the CFTR gene cause congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens.

More than half of all men with this condition have mutations in the CFTR gene. Mutations in this gene also cause cystic fibrosis. When congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens occurs with CFTR mutations, it is considered a form of atypical cystic fibrosis.

The protein made from the CFTR gene forms a channel that transports negatively charged particles called chloride ions into and out of cells. The flow of chloride ions helps control the movement of water in tissues, which is necessary for the production of thin, freely flowing mucus. Mucus is a slippery substance that lubricates and protects the linings of the airways, digestive system, reproductive system, and other organs and tissues.

Mutations in the CFTR gene disrupt the function of the chloride channels, preventing them from regulating the flow of chloride ions and water across cell membranes. As a result, cells in the male genital tract produce mucus that is abnormally thick and sticky. This mucus clogs the vas deferens as they are forming, causing them to deteriorate before birth.

In instances of congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens without a mutation in the CFTR gene, the cause of this condition is often unknown. Some cases are associated with other structural problems of the urinary tract.

Related Gene(s)

Changes in this gene are associated with congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens.

  • CFTR

How do people inherit congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens?

When this condition is caused by mutations in the CFTR gene, it is inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern. This pattern of inheritance means that both copies of the gene in each cell have a mutation. Men with this condition who choose to father children through assisted reproduction have an increased risk of having a child with cystic fibrosis. If congenital absence of the vas deferens is not caused by mutations in CFTR, the risk of having children with cystic fibrosis is not increased.

Where can I find information about diagnosis or management of congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens?

These resources address the diagnosis or management of congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens and may include treatment providers.

  • Gene Review: CFTR-Related Disorders (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK1250/)
  • Genetic Testing Registry: Congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gtr/conditions/CN032726)
  • MedlinePlus Encyclopedia: Infertility (http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001191.htm)
  • MedlinePlus Encyclopedia: Pathway of sperm (image) (http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/imagepages/19073.htm)

You might also find information on the diagnosis or management of congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens in Educational resources (http://www.ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/congenital-bilateral-absence-of-the-vas-deferens/show/Educational+resources) and Patient support (http://www.ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/congenital-bilateral-absence-of-the-vas-deferens/show/Patient+support).

General information about the diagnosis (http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/handbook/consult/diagnosis) and management (http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/handbook/consult/treatment) of genetic conditions is available in the Handbook. Read more about genetic testing (http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/handbook/testing), particularly the difference between clinical tests and research tests (http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/handbook/testing/researchtesting).

To locate a healthcare provider, see How can I find a genetics professional in my area? (http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/handbook/consult/findingprofessional) in the Handbook.

Where can I find additional information about congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens?

You may find the following resources about congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens helpful. These materials are written for the general public.

  • MedlinePlus - Health information

    • Encyclopedia: Infertility (http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001191.htm)
    • Encyclopedia: Pathway of sperm (image) (http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/imagepages/19073.htm)
    • Health Topic: Male Infertility (http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/maleinfertility.html)
  • Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center - Information about genetic conditions and rare diseases (http://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/gard/5461/resources/resources/1)

  • Educational resources - Information pages

    • American Society for Reproductive Medicine: Male Infertility (http://www.asrm.org/topics/detail.aspx?id=1331)
    • Orphanet (http://www.orpha.net/consor/cgi-bin/OC_Exp.php?Lng=EN&Expert=48)

  • Patient support - For patients and families

    • American Fertility Association (http://www.theafa.org/library/article/its_in_the_male/)
    • Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (http://cysticfibrosis.ca/en/index.php)
    • Resolve: The National Infertility Association (http://www.resolve.org/)

You may also be interested in these resources, which are designed for healthcare professionals and researchers.

  • Gene Reviews - Clinical summary (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK1250/)

  • Genetic Testing Registry - Repository of genetic test information

    • Genetic Testing Registry: Congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gtr/conditions/CN032726)
  • PubMed - Recent literature (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((absence%20of%20vas%20deferens%5BTIAB%5D)%20OR%20(absent%20vasa%5BTIAB%5D)%20OR%20(cavd%5BTIAB%5D)%20OR%20(cbavd%5BTIAB%5D)%20OR%20(congenital%20absence%20of%20vas%20deferens%5BTIAB%5D)%20OR%20(congenital%20aplasia%20of%20vas%20deferens%5BTIAB%5D))%20AND%20english%5Bla%5D%20AND%20human%5Bmh%5D%20AND%20%22last%20720%20days%22%5Bdp%5D)
  • OMIM - Genetic disorder catalog (http://omim.org/entry/277180)

What other names do people use for congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens?

  • Absence of vas deferens
  • Absent vasa
  • CAVD
  • CBAVD
  • Congenital absence of vas deferens
  • Congenital aplasia of vas deferens
  • congenital bilateral absence of vas deferens

For more information about naming genetic conditions, see the Genetics Home Reference Condition Naming Guidelines (http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/ConditionNameGuide) and How are genetic conditions and genes named? (http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/handbook/mutationsanddisorders/naming) in the Handbook.

What if I still have specific questions about congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens?

Ask the Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center (http://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/GARD/).

What glossary definitions help with understanding congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens?

atypical ; autosomal ; autosomal recessive ; bilateral ; cell ; channel ; charged particles ; chloride ; chloride channels ; chronic ; congenital ; digestive ; digestive system ; fibrosis ; gene ; infertile ; infertility ; inheritance ; ions ; mucus ; mutation ; pattern of inheritance ; protein ; recessive ; reproduction ; respiratory ; semen ; sign ; sperm ; testes ; vas deferens

You may find definitions for these and many other terms in the Genetics Home Reference Glossary (http://www.ghr.nlm.nih.gov/glossary).

References

  • Cuppens H, Cassiman JJ. CFTR mutations and polymorphisms in male infertility. Int J Androl. 2004 Oct;27(5):251-6. Review. (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15379964?dopt=Abstract)
  • Daudin M, Bieth E, Bujan L, Massat G, Pontonnier F, Mieusset R. Congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens: clinical characteristics, biological parameters, cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator gene mutations, and implications for genetic counseling. Fertil Steril. 2000 Dec;74(6):1164-74. (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11119745?dopt=Abstract)
  • Gene Review: CFTR-Related Disorders (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK1250/)
  • Gilljam M, Moltyaner Y, Downey GP, Devlin R, Durie P, Cantin AM, Zielenski J, Tullis DE. Airway inflammation and infection in congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2004 Jan 15;169(2):174-9. Epub 2003 Oct 9. (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14551163?dopt=Abstract)
  • Jarzabek K, Zbucka M, Pepiński W, Szamatowicz J, Domitrz J, Janica J, Wołczyński S, Szamatowicz M. Cystic fibrosis as a cause of infertility. Reprod Biol. 2004 Jul;4(2):119-29. Review. (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15297887?dopt=Abstract)
  • Nick JA, Rodman DM. Manifestations of cystic fibrosis diagnosed in adulthood. Curr Opin Pulm Med. 2005 Nov;11(6):513-8. Review. (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16217177?dopt=Abstract)
  • Noone PG, Knowles MR. 'CFTR-opathies': disease phenotypes associated with cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator gene mutations. Respir Res. 2001;2(6):328-32. Epub 2001 Aug 9. Review. (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11737931?dopt=Abstract)
  • Samli H, Samli MM, Yilmaz E, Imirzalioglu N. Clinical, andrological and genetic characteristics of patients with congenital bilateral absence of vas deferens (CBAVD). Arch Androl. 2006 Nov-Dec;52(6):471-7. (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17050329?dopt=Abstract)

 

The resources on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Users seeking information about a personal genetic disease, syndrome, or condition should consult with a qualified healthcare professional. See How can I find a genetics professional in my area? (http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/handbook/consult/findingprofessional) in the Handbook.

 
Reviewed: January 2008
Published: May 20, 2013