Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
CAVD
Introduction
Congenital absence of the vas deferens (CAVD) is a condition in which the two vas deferens, male reproductive organs, fail to form properly prior to birth. The vas deferens helps connect the sperm-producing testicles to the penis. Therefore, men who are missing both vas deferens are typically able to create sperm but are unable to transport them appropriately. Their semen does not contain sperm, a condition known as azoospermia. CAVD is associated with cystic fibrosis and occurs because of a mutation in the CFTR gene. Individuals with CAVD can reproduce with the assistance of modern technology in a procedure known as intracytoplasmic sperm injection.