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1.
The response of the epithelial cells of the various ducts of the avian epididymis, whose function is poorly understood, to intraluminal bacteria was evaluated by the injection of an avirulent strain of Salmonella gallinarium into the RT for 24 h. Ultrastructurally, bacteria and invading mononuclear cells were present in the lumina of the RT, proximal efferent ducts (PED) and distal efferent ducts. However, only the non-ciliated (Type I) cells of the PED epithelium ingested bacteria from the lumen. Fragments of bacteria also occurred in several intercellular spaces in the epithelium of the PED. Some mononuclear cells also contained fragments of bacteria. Neither cell death in the various epithelia nor mononuclear infiltration of the periductal tissue occurred. Therefore, in addition to the established function of absorbing most of the testicular fluid entering the epididymis, the Type I cells also appear capable of recognising and removing foreign particulate matter from the epididymal through-flow in the proximal part of the epididymis.  相似文献   

2.
The ductus epididymis has roles in the maturation and storage of spermatozoa. The main function of the cauda epididymis is the storage of spermatozoa; however, this region exerts other morphophysiological roles. So, this study was aimed at investigating structural features of the cauda epididymis epithelium, which could indicate roles other than the storage. The relative percentages of the cell types in the epithelium were 74.9, 6.9, 12.5 and 5.6% of principal, clear, basal and halo cells respectively. Large intercellular spaces were seen among the lateral plasmatic membranes of adjacent principal cells or among these cells and others cell types. These spaces were found to be filled with multivesicular bodies, myelin figures, scrolls and debris of membranes or flocculent dense material. Clear cells had the cytoplasms filled with lysosomes (¾ of basal cytoplasm), and vacuoles and vesicles (¼ of apical cytoplasm). The observations allowed us to infer that clear cells could act in the process of endocytosis and also in water transfer from the lumen to the interstitium through the epithelium compartment. Moreover, transcytosis may occur at the cauda epididymis of Golden hamster.  相似文献   

3.
Effects of ligation of the ductus deferens on the fowl epididymal region   总被引：1，自引：0，他引：1  
The effects of ligation of the ductus deferens on the epididymis in the fowl were studied histochemically and immunohistochemically to reveal the mechanisms of sperm disposal. At one week post-ligation, the lumina of the rete testes (RT) and the efferent ductules (ED) were distended and filled with densely accumulated spermatozoa. Macrophages and foreign-body giant cells were aggregated in and around the accumulations. The epithelium regressed in the initial portion of the RT with the invasion of fibroblasts and heterophiles into the lumen. The other part of the epithelium was penetrated by many spermatozoa. Numerous lymphocytes and plasma cells infiltrated into the interstitium. At 4 weeks, larger number of spermatozoa agglutinated in the lumen, and large masses of foamy cells and proliferated connective tissue protruded into the lumen. At 8 weeks, large masses of foamy cells were noted. The connecting ductules or the epididymal duct showed no marked changes after ligation. The epithelium of the ED showed weaker or no acid phosphatase activity after ligation. Immunoglobulin G-containing cells increased in number in the interstitium. These results showed that ligation of the ductus deferens in the fowl causes granuloma in the RT and ED, and that epithelial cells, macrophages and granuloma are engaged in the removal of spermatozoa. The participation of antibody is suggested in the sperm disposal processes.  相似文献   

4.
Tracheal lesions in young turkeys infected with Bordetella avium   总被引：5，自引：0，他引：5  
Forty-six turkeys were inoculated intranasally with Bordetella avium at 3 days of age. Inoculated and non-inoculated turkeys (n = 72) were necropsied sequentially from post-exposure days (PED) 3 to 53. Tracheal lesions were studied histologically. Mild fibrinopurulent tracheitis, associated with bacterial colonization of ciliated epithelium, was seen at PED 7 to 10. At PED 14 and 21, there were numerous bacterial colonies, loss of ciliated cells, epithelial hyperplasia, depletion of mucus, and diffuse infiltration of lymphocytes and macrophages. At PED 28, the mucosa and tracheal rings were severely distorted. The mucosal epithelium, composed of immature epithelial cells and nononuclear leukocytes, had formed prominent longitudinal folds. Mucous glands were cystic and lined by low cuboidal epithelium. At PED 42 and 53, tracheas appeared normal, except for residual distortion of tracheal rings and shortened luminal epithelium.  相似文献   

5.
哺乳动物精子经过附睾成熟后才能获得运动及受精的能力,为解释水牛精子在附睾中的成熟过程,本研究选用性成熟期的沼泽型水牛附睾,利用乙烯吡咯烷酮包裹的硅胶微小颗粒（Percoll）梯度离心纯化分别提取附睾头、体和尾部精子,应用计算机辅助精子分析系统（CASA）检测精子活力,透射电镜观察附睾不同部位精子的超微结构,对精子进行荧光标记后,利用流式细胞仪和荧光显微镜观察检测不同部位精子质膜完整率、线粒体鞘膜电位和顶体差异。结果表明,Percoll分离得到附睾头、体和尾3部位精子的纯度达95%,不同部位精子活力分别为8.35%、20.21%和65.60%;附睾不同部位精子都存在着结构完整的精子以及相同的畸形类型,附睾尾部精子线粒体鞘高膜电位比率最高,精子质膜完整率从附睾头部到尾部逐渐升高,精子顶体完整率从附睾头部到尾部逐渐升高。本研究直观地展示了水牛附睾不同部位精子特征以及差异,为研究水牛精子成熟机理提供理论依据。  相似文献   

6.
用组织学和免疫组织化学方法调查达乌尔黄鼠精子形成季节性变化和细胞色素芳香化酶(P450 arom)在精巢和附睾中的免疫位置。黄鼠繁殖期与非繁殖期精巢大小、重量、生精小管直径存在显著差异;黄鼠繁殖期精巢中存在从精原细胞到有尾精子各期生殖细胞,非繁殖期精巢中只存在精原细胞和初级精母细胞。另外,繁殖期黄鼠附睾管中存在大量有尾精子,而非繁殖期附睾中未见精子存在。繁殖期P450 arom在黄鼠精巢的间质细胞、支持细胞、精子细胞和附睾头部输出小管上皮细胞都有发现,而在非繁殖期没有发现它的活力。这些结果表明达乌尔黄鼠精子形成、成熟是伴随着精巢复发和退行呈现显著季节性变化,雌激素在精子形成和成熟过程中起着重要的生理性作用。  相似文献   

7.
Dietary cobalt (265 ppm Co) induced polycythemia and consistent degenerative and necrotic lesions in the seminiferous tubules of rats. Cyanosis and engorgement of testicular vasculature on day 35 and thereafter was followed on day 70 by degenerative and necrotic changes in the germinal epithelium and Sertoli cells. Spermatogonia, primary spermatocytes and round spermatids were markedly affected, while elongated spermatids, spermatozoa, and sertoli cells were more resistant. Damaged tubules, often present side by side with normal tubules, contained multinucleated giant cells composed of degenerated and necrotic spermatocytes and/or spermatids, sloughed germinal and Sertoli cells, and calcified necrotic debris. Necrotic tubules were frequently collapsed and devoid of epithelium except for occasional spermatogonia and surviving Sertoli cells. Lesions were not observed in the Leydig cells, cauda epididymis or seminal vesicles.  相似文献   

8.
All epididymal regions are lined with multiple epithelial cell types, each with different functions to provide the luminal environment for spermatozoal maturation. Epithelial cells also create apical blebs, which are released from the apical surface via apocrine secretion and disintegrate in the lumen, thereby releasing epididymosomes. Epididymosomes transport proteins to spermatozoa and contain microRNAs. We hypothesized that epididymosomes also transfer miRNA from epididymal epithelium to spermatozoa. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to determine miRNA profiles of epididymal tissue from caput and cauda, epididymal spermatozoa from caput and cauda, and epididymosomes and from caput, proximal corpus, distal corpus, and cauda. Pathway analysis was performed using DIANA tools on the miRNA unique to caudal spermatozoa. We found 66 newly acquired miRNAs in spermatozoa located in the caudal epididymis. Predicted pathways targeted by these miRNAs suggest a role in cell motility and viability and factors in oocyte and embryo maturation and development. These findings suggest that miRNAs are transported to spermatozoa from epididymal epithelium via epididymosomes.  相似文献   

9.
Seventeen gonad pairs of boars and ten gonad pairs of bulls were examined to evaluate the migration of protoplasmic droplets and the phagocytosis of defective spermatozoa. The material for a microscopic investigation of secretions was collected from two sites in the testis and from seven sites in the epididymis. The greatest motion of protoplasmic droplets was recorded in the caput epididymidis, although the migration of droplets from the proximal section of the connective part of the flagellum towards the distal parts could also be observed as far as in the cauda epididymidis in both animals. A proximally located droplet still occurred in the cauda epididymidis in 4.5% of the spermatozoa of boars and in 1.9% of those of bulls. Absent mitochondrial spirals or swollen connective parts were observed in the imprints of testicular tissue in almost 50% of the spermatozoa whereas in the secretion of efferent ducts they were observed only in 0.3% of bull spermatozoa and about 3% of boar spermatozoa. No such defects were recorded in the epididymis head and tail in either of the two species. The marked reduction in the number of defective spermatozoa without mitochondrial spirals in the secretion of efferent ducts and after passage through the caput epididymidis testifies to the phagocytic ability of the epithelium of this part of efferent ducts.  相似文献   

10.
The regional postnatal development of the epididymal duct was studied with histological technique in 22 lambs of the “Swedish Landrace” breed at intervals from 1 week to 18 weeks after birth. At one week, the whole epididymal duct had a simple low columnar epithelium. In the terminal segment the epithelium ecquired a structure similar to that in the adult epididymis at the age of about 6 weeks. Normal spermatozoa were not seen in the cauda epididymidis until the lambs were about 18 weeks old. In the middle segment, distal, intermediate and proximal parts, the epithelium increased gradually in height and reached the adult type at about 12, 15 and 18 weeks, respectively. At about 12 weeks of postnatal life, the epithelium of the initial segment increased rapidly in height, at the same time as a distinct lumen formed in the seminiferous tubules. As far as histological features were concerned, the initial segment showed the adult type when the lambs were about 18 weeks old. The presence of spermatozoa in the cauda epididymidis indicates that the lambs readied sexual maturity at this age. It was concluded that the postnatal differentiation of the ram epididymis starts in the terminal segment and then ascends through the middle and initial segments.  相似文献   

11.
The anatomy and histology of the male genital tract of the lesser anteater were studied. Fine details of spermatozoa regarding their genesis and morphology were also studied in six adult specimens. The testes lie in the pelvic cavity. The deferent duct emerges from the epididymis and opens into the ejaculatory duct, which drains into the membranous urethra. Accessory glands (prostate, seminal vesicle and bulbourethral gland) are histologically similar to those described in other mammals. The short penis presents an urethral orifice, while the corpus spongiosum becomes thinner at the end indicating the absence of a histologically defined glans. The seminiferous epithelium shows: (1) Sertoli cells with deep nuclear indentations, (2) spermatogonia with crusty‐like chromatin, (3) spermatocytes at different stages of maturation and (4) three morphologically distinct stages of spermatid differentiation according to nuclear shape, acrosome development and chromatin condensation. Sperm heads appear oval. The length of the spermatozoa averages 67.33 ± 1.60 μm. Two specimens with inactive spermatogenesis were azoospermic. Their testes and epididymis presented sizes smaller than those with active spermatogenesis. These studies together with others in anteaters may contribute to successful breeding in conservation programmes.  相似文献   

12.
Aquaporins (AQPs) are channel proteins that facilitate the transepithelial and bidirectional movement of water. AQP9 is an aquaporin that is expressed in the mammalian epididymis. This water transport contributes to epididymal sperm concentration. This study aimed to examine the morphology of epididymal epithelium in piglets and boars, as well as the expression and immunolocalization of AQP9. The piglets presented an epididymal epithelium in differentiation with principal, basal and apical cells. The cellular population of the epididymal epithelium in boars consisted of principal, basal, apical, clear and narrow cells. The migratory cells known as halo cells were observed in the epididymis of both piglets and boars. AQP9 expression presented differences between piglets and boars. Moderate intensity of AQP9 immunoreaction was observed in the apical border of the epididymal epithelium of the caput and cauda regions in the piglet epididymis. A moderate‐to‐intense reaction for AQP9 was observed in the nuclei of epithelial cells of the three epididymal regions in the boar epididymis. The region of the cauda epididymis showed reactivity for AQP9 also in the apical border of the epithelium. It is believed that the AQP9 is already functional in piglets at only 1 week of age and is more active, playing a pivotal role in the caput and cauda regions of the epididymis. Moreover, the intense AQP9 expression in the apical border of epithelial cells in the cauda region of the boar epididymis suggests a higher performance of AQP9 in this region, where sperm complete their maturation process, stored and concentrated.  相似文献   

13.
Galectin-3, a member of the β-galactoside-binding protein family, has been implicated in mammalian sperm maturation. We examined galectin-3 expression in the testis and epididymis of sexually mature and immature bulls. Western blot analysis showed varying levels of galectin-3 in the bull testis and epididymis, and galectin-3 immunoreactivity was higher in the mature testis and epididymis than in immature organs. Galectin-3 was primarily localized in interstitial cells of the immature bull testis and in the peritubular myoid and interstitial cells of the mature testis. In the immature epididymis head, galectin-3 was primarily in the principal and basal cells of the epithelium. In the mature epididymis head, moderate levels of galectin-3 were detected in the sperm, while low levels were found in the stereocilia, epithelium and connective tissue. In the immature epididymis body, moderate protein levels were detected in the principal cells, while lower levels were found in the basal cells. The mature epididymis body showed moderate levels of galectin-3 immunostaining in the stereocilia and epithelium, but low levels in the connective tissue. In the immature epididymis tail, only low levels of galectin-3 staining were found in the epithelium, whereas the mature epididymis tail showed high levels of galectin-3 in the principal cells, moderate levels in the basal cells and low levels in connective tissue. These findings suggest that galectin-3 expression plays a role in the maturation and activation of sperm in bulls.  相似文献   

14.

Background

During epididymal transit, functional and structural modifications leading to full maturation enable male gametes to reach, recognize and fertilize the oocytes. In dogs, little is known on the modifications of spermatozoa during the passage in the epididymis. The aim of this study was to describe the motility, morphology and acrosomal patterns of canine spermatozoa retrieved from the epididymis caput, corpus and cauda.

Results

After the dilution required for the collection of epididymal content, sperm motility was significantly higher (P <0.0001) in the cauda compared to corpus and caput.Proportions of spermatozoa with normal morphology were significantly higher in corpus (P =0.02) and cauda (P <0.0001) compared to caput. Overall morphological abnormalities of the head and neck/midpiece were similar in the three different epididymal regions. A significantly increased prevalence of tail defects, mainly represented by single bent tails, was observed in the corpus compared to caput (P <0.0001) and cauda (P =0.006).Numbers of immature sperm with cytoplasmic droplets decreased from the proximal to the distal region of the epididymis. Particularly, proximal cytoplasmic droplets were more frequently found in spermatozoa collected from the caput epididymis than in the corpus (P <0.0001) and in the cauda (P <0.0001), whereas the occurrence of distal cytoplasmic droplets was higher in the corpus than in the caput (P =0.0003) and in the cauda (P <0.05).Significantly higher proportions of spermatozoa with intact acrosomes were retrieved from the cauda epididymis than from the caput (P =0.03) and the corpus (P =0.008). This difference was mainly due to a lower proportion of spermatozoa with abnormal acrosomes (mainly swollen acrosomes) rather than with absent acrosomes.

Conclusions

Canine spermatozoa undergo several modifications in the epididymis. The acquisition of progressive motility, migration of the cytoplasmic droplet and acrosomal reshaping lead to mature spermatozoa which are then stored in the cauda epididymis. From this site, spermatozoa can be retrieved and used in assisted reproductive techniques as a valuable tool for propagating genetic traits of high value individuals that dies accidentally or undergoes orchiectomy for medical purposes. Further investigations should be also focused on the potential use of spermatozoa recovered from other epididymal regions.  相似文献   

15.
Lesions induced by inoculation of Brucella ovis into the epididymis were compared in rams previously vaccinated with B. ovis bacterin and unvaccinated rams. Inoculation of killed B. ovis did not produce significant lesions in either group whereas prior vaccination exacerbated epididymal lesions following inoculation of live B. ovis. Increased numbers of neutrophils, macrophages and lymphocytes were present in the interstitium and neutrophilic infiltration of the epididymal duct epithelium and intraepithelial cyst formation was more prominent. The inflammatory response surrounding extravasated spermatozoa was more severe in vaccinated rams but it was not determined if the response was directed at spermatozoa or intermixed brucellae, or both.  相似文献   

16.
The structure of microtubules is essential for the fertilizing ability of spermatozoa. Acetylation of α-tubulin plays an important role in flagellar elongation and spermatozoa motility. Previous reports have suggested that alpha-tubulin N-acetyltransferase 1 (ATAT1) is the main acetyltransferase involved in the acetylation of α-tubulin. Although ATAT1 is reported to express in the testis, no information is available regarding its expression in elongated spermatids, epididymis, and mature spermatozoa. Hence, it remains unclear whether ATAT1 is involved in spermatozoa maturation and capacitation. Therefore, we evaluated the expression of ATAT1 in the mouse male reproductive system using immunostaining and western blotting. Our results showed that ATAT1 was expressed in spermatids during spermiogenesis in mouse testes, but its expression varied according to the seminiferous tubule stage. We observed ATAT1 in the cytoplasm of round spermatids, the flagella of elongated spermatids, and in the cytoplasm of step 16 spermatids, just before its release into the lumen. In addition, ATAT1 was expressed in epithelial cells of the epididymis. In spermatozoa of the cauda epididymis, ATAT1 expression was primarily observed in the midpiece of the spermatozoa. The localization of ATAT1 protein in the male germline was observed during spermiogenesis as well as during spermatozoa maturation. Our results suggest that ATAT1 may be involved in the formation of flagella and in the acetylation process, which has attracted attention in recent years regarding male infertility.  相似文献   

17.
Oestrogens are involved in regulation of spermatogenesis and sperm maturation and are essential for male fertility. To study the role of oestrogens on epididymal function in the domestic cat, we analyzed the localization patterns of oestrogen receptors (ERs) within the epididymis of juvenile, pubertal and adults using immunohistochemistry. Cat epididymal tissues obtained during routine castrations were fixed in chilled Bouin's solution and processed for immunohistochemistry with ER-specific antibodies. For a certain receptor type, ER localization was influenced by donor age. In the juvenile epididymis, ERα was localized in the nuclei of epithelial cells of efferent ducts and undifferentiated epithelium of the ductus epididymis. During puberty, ERα localization in the undifferentiated epithelium of the epididymis shifted from the nuclei to the cytoplasm and plasma membrane. Oestrogen receptor-α level was highest in the pubertal and adult epididymis, especially within the cytoplasm and in plasma membranes of caput epithelial cells. This finding was suggestive of a role in fluid reabsorption within the efferent ducts and the epididymis. In corpus and cauda regions, ERα was less abundant, suggesting a minor role for oestrogens in sperm storage areas. Interestingly, localization of ERβ was neither influenced by age nor location within the epididymis and was ubiquitous throughout. Results demonstrate that oestrogen actions within the epididymis may be predominantly mediated through ERα during sexual maturation in the domestic cat.  相似文献   

18.
Aquaporins (AQPs) are essential membrane protein channels for the transport of water across membranes. Fluid movement in the epididymis is important for modulation of the luminal environment, in which sperm mature and reside. This study was designed to understand the morphology and localization of AQPs in ram efferent ducts (ED) and epididymis. For this purpose, the epididymis of seven animals were removed for histologic and immunohistochemical analyses. AQP1 immunoreactivity was observed in the apex of the ED, and AQP9 was found adjacent to the nuclei of the epithelial cells of the ED. The epithelial lining of ram epididymis is pseudostratified columnar and presents principal, basal, apical and narrow cells. In the initial segment (IS), a moderate reaction for AQP1 was observed in the apical cytoplasm of epithelial cells. An intense reactivity for AQP1 was noted over the microvilli of principal cells and in spermatozoa in the caput. In the corpus and cauda, AQP1 was noted only over the endothelial cells of vascular channels located in intertubular spaces. A weak‐to‐moderate reaction for AQP9 was observed in the nuclei of epithelial cells in the IS, caput and corpus of the epididymis. In the cauda, an intense reaction to AQP9 was observed in the epithelial border. In the IS, caput and corpus, the reactivity for AQP9 differed from those observed in domestic animals. The cauda showed a pattern similar to that previously described. These results indicate that AQPs 1 and 9 have reversed locations and roles in rams, suggesting activity variations related with fluid and solute absorption throughout the epididymis.  相似文献   

19.
The aim of this study was to describe the effects of a single dose of the gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist acyline on testicular characteristics of the domestic cat. Twelve mature cats were orchidectomised unilaterally (right testis) on Day -7 (n=7) or Day 15 (n=5). On Day 0, 330 μg/kg acyline was administered s.c. to all the animals. Left orchidectomy was carried out on Day 15 (n=2), Day 30 (n=4) and Day 60 (n=6). Sperm were recovered from the epididymis and the testes were evaluated grossly, histologically and immunohistochemically. Significant differences (P<0.05) were found between days for epididymal sperm motility, vigor, abnormal morphology, germinal epithelium height, spermatocytes, spermatids, spermatozoa, lumen and cellular debris. Conversely, no significant differences were found for gross testicular and tubular characteristics, spermatogonia, Sertoli and Leydig cells and intertubular compartments. It was concluded that a single dose of acyline reversibly impaired spermiogenesis, spermatocytogenesis and sperm motility for 2 weeks.  相似文献   

20.
Objective To develop and assess canine corneal epithelial cell sheets cultivated from limbal stem cells on amniotic membrane. Procedures Canine corneal limbal segments were obtained from six beagle dogs. Cryopreserved denuded amniotic membranes (obtained from Miniature Dachshund and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel breeds) from which the epithelial cells were removed were used as scaffolds. The limbal segments were cultured on these amniotic membranes with 3T3 feeder cells for 2 weeks. The harvested corneal epithelial cell sheets were stained with H&E for histologic analysis. The harvested sheets were analyzed immunohistochemically using a corneal epithelium‐specific marker keratin 3(K3) and putative stem cell markers ABCG2, p63, and vimentin. Results Cultivated cells from the corneal limbal tissues reached confluency in 7–8 days. The cultivated cells adhered to the denuded amniotic membrane and formed a sheet. The cultivated cell sheet was transparent and consisted of five to eight layers. K3 was observed in all layers and ABCG2, p63, and vimentin were notably present in the basal layer of the cultivated canine epithelium by immunofluorescence. Conclusions Canine corneal epithelial cells were successfully cultivated on the canine amniotic membrane. The cultivated epithelial sheets contained putative stem cells in the basal layer and had a stratified epithelium.  相似文献   

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