A prospective study of plasma luteinizing hormone (LH) and testosterone in 54 men for 5 years following vasectomy revealed no significant continuing alteration in either testosterone or LH. Plasma LH levels 1 year after operation were higher than preoperative levels but did not increase further. Stimulation studies (4 years postvasectomy) using human chorionic gonadotropin confirmed acceptable Leydig cell functional reserve.