Morphometry of the epididymis of the tammar wallaby, Macropus eugenii, and estimation of some physiological parameters

1991 ◽  
Vol 3 (6) ◽  
pp. 651 ◽  
Author(s):  
G Chaturapanich ◽  
RC Jones
Keyword(s):  
Tammar Wallaby ◽  
Sperm Storage ◽  
High Ratio ◽  
Sperm Velocity ◽  
Macropus Eugenii ◽  
Ductuli Efferentes ◽  
Morphometric Features ◽  
Cauda Epididymidis ◽  
Testis Mass ◽  
Caput Epididymidis

About 14 ductuli efferentes (mean length 48 cm) leave the testis of the tammar. The caput, corpus and cauda epididymidis constitute 37%, 42% and 21% respectively of the total length of the ductus epididymidis (estimated to be 34.9 m long). The initial segments of the ductus epididymidis are longer, relative to body or testis mass, in the tammar than in eutherian mammals such as the rat. The main morphometric features of the male excurrent duct system of the tammar are a high ratio of surface area of luminal border:luminal volume of the ductuli efferentes (which reabsorb most of the fluid leaving the testis), a high ratio of epithelial volume:luminal volume in the caput and corpus epididymidis (which are involved in sperm maturation) and a low ratio of epithelial volume:luminal volume in the cauda epididymidis (which is involved in sperm storage). Estimates of fluid reabsorption by the ductuli efferentes and protein secretion by the caput epididymidis were respectively 8.9 microL cm-2h-1 and 2.8 micrograms cm-2h-1. Other estimates for the ductuli efferentes, caput, corpus and cauda epididymidis respectively were: sperm velocity (4.5, 4.8, 2.2, and 0.9 mm min-1), duration of sperm transit (107 min, 1.9 days, 4.7 days, and 6.3 days), total number of spermatozoa (4950 x 10(6)) and distribution of extragonadal spermatozoa (0.6, 14, 36 and 49% of the total). The values are within the ranges estimated for eutherian mammals.

Sperm transport, size of the seminal plug and the timing of ovulation after natural mating in the female tammar wallaby Macropus eugenii

2004 ◽  
Vol 16 (8) ◽  
pp. 811 ◽  
Author(s):  
Damien B. B. P. Paris ◽  
David A. Taggart ◽  
Monica C. J. Paris ◽  
Peter D. Temple-Smith ◽  
Marilyn B. Renfree
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Tammar Wallaby ◽  
Sperm Storage ◽  
Sperm Transport ◽  
Macropus Eugenii ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
Single Mating ◽  
Natural Mating

The distribution of spermatozoa and seminal plug in the reproductive tract and the timing of ovulation were examined at various times in a naturally mated monovular macropodid marsupial, namely the tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii). After the first post partum (p.p.) mating, 28 females were isolated and their reproductive tracts dissected at 0.5, 6, 18, 36 and 40 h post coitum (p.c.). Each tract was ligated into 13 major anatomical sections and spermatozoa and eggs were recovered by flushing. Mating was possibly delayed by handling and occurred 21.7 ± 2.5 h p.p. in these animals. Copulation lasted 7.8 ± 0.7 min. Within 0.5 h after a single mating, the tract contained 25.8 ± 10.2 × 106 spermatozoa and 21.6 ± 8.8 g of seminal plug, 96% and 70% of which was lost within 6 h p.c. respectively. Spermatozoa reached the uterus, isthmus and ampulla of the oviduct on the side of the developing follicle within 0.5, 6 and 18 h p.c., respectively, and a uterine population of 26.1 ± 12.103 spermatozoa was maintained for over 40 h. Sperm numbers were reduced at the cervix (up to 57-fold) and uterotubule junction (eight-fold) and only one in approximately 7500 ejaculated spermatozoa (3.4 ± 0.9 × 103) reached the oviduct on the follicle side. Differential transport of spermatozoa was not observed. Although the numbers of spermatozoa were reduced in the parturient uterus, they were highly variable and were not significantly different to those in the non-parturient uterus. Ovulation and recovery of sperm-covered eggs from the isthmus occurred 36–41 h p.c. (49–72 h p.p.). In contrast with the polyovular dasyurid and didelphid marsupials, the tammar wallaby ejaculates large numbers of spermatozoa, but transport is relatively inefficient and sperm storage in the tract before ovulation is limited.

Protein synthesis and secretion by the epididymis of the tammar wallaby, Macropus eugenii (Macropodidae: Marsupialia)

1992 ◽  
Vol 4 (5) ◽  
pp. 533 ◽  
Author(s):  
G Chaturapanich ◽  
RC Jones ◽  
J Clulow
Keyword(s):  
Protein Synthesis ◽  
Protein Secretion ◽  
Tammar Wallaby ◽  
Secreted Proteins ◽  
Blood Proteins ◽  
Macropus Eugenii ◽  
Cauda Epididymidis

The objectives were to assess the following in a marsupial: which proteins are synthesized by the different regions of the epididymis and secreted into the lumen of the ductus; the effect of the experimental method on the detection of protein secretion; the role of the testis in regulating the protein synthesis and secretion; and whether any of the secreted proteins may associate with spermatozoa. Samples from untreated animals were collected for examination by perfusing Krebs-bicarbonate through the ductus epididymidis in vivo (microperfusion), and after incorporation of [35S]methionine during incubation of minced duct in vitro. Electrophoresis of the samples showed that the caput and corpus epididymidis (initial segments) secreted most of the proteins that were synthesized and secreted by the epididymal mucosa, and that the cauda epididymidis secreted mainly blood proteins. Also, many more proteins were secreted in vitro than into the microperfusates in vivo, or were found by Jones (1987) in micropuncture samples of epididymal plasma. The synthesis and secretion of five proteins was androgen dependent (M(r) 75,700, 30,000, 18,700, 17,400 and 12,800). Also, the luminal fluids from the testis stimulated the secretion of two proteins (M(r) 46,300 and 36,100) and inhibited the secretion of three proteins (M(r) 43,000, 32,300 and 21,400). Examination of detergent extracts of spermatozoa indicated that they lose three proteins (M(r) 28,000, 30,000 and 47,000) and gain one (M(r) 30,400) during passage through the epididymis. The method of determining protein secretion affected the findings. Protein secretion, its control and its association with spermatozoa are broadly similar in the tammar wallaby to the processes described in eutherian mammals.

Interactions of sperm and the reproductive ducts of the male tammar wallaby, Macropus eugenii (Macropodidae: Marsupialia)

1994 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 437 ◽  
Author(s):  
RC Jones ◽  
J Clulow
Keyword(s):  
Animal Model ◽  
Inorganic Ions ◽  
Tammar Wallaby ◽  
Duct System ◽  
Sperm Production ◽  
Structural Differentiation ◽  
Macropus Eugenii ◽  
Cauda Epididymidis ◽  
Good Animal Model

This review compares sperm production in the tammar wallaby and eutherian mammals, particularly the rat. The capacity of sperm to fertilize an ovum when they leave the testis and the changes they undergo in the epididymidis are considered. The structural differentiation and regulation of the extratesticular duct system is assessed and related to the reabsorption and secretion of water, inorganic ions and proteins, and the interaction of sperm and proteins synthesized and secreted by the epididymidis. Adaptations of the cauda epididymidis for storing spermatozoa are also considered. It is suggested that the tammar may be a good animal model to study the suppression of sperm motility and metabolism in the cauda epididymidis as it is possible to collect from them luminal samples of sperm which are initially immotile and then spontaneously activate during incubation in vitro.

scholarly journals Growth of the corpus luteum and its progesterone content during pregnancy in the tammar wallaby, Macropus eugenii

Reproduction ◽  
1979 ◽  
Vol 57 (1) ◽  
pp. 131-136 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. B. Renfree ◽  
S. W. Green ◽  
I. R. Young
Keyword(s):  
Corpus Luteum ◽  
Tammar Wallaby ◽  
Macropus Eugenii

Mullerian inhibiting substance production and testicular migration and descent in the pouch young of a marsupial

Development ◽  
1988 ◽  
Vol 104 (4) ◽  
pp. 549-556 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.M. Hutson ◽  
G. Shaw ◽  
W.S. O ◽  
R.V. Short ◽  
M.B. Renfree
Keyword(s):  
Tammar Wallaby ◽  
Testicular Descent ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Macropus Eugenii ◽  
Müllerian Inhibiting Substance ◽  
Sequence Of Events ◽  
Testicular Differentiation ◽  
Testicular Migration ◽  
Australian Marsupial ◽  
Mullerian Inhibiting Substance

The ontogeny of Mullerian inhibiting substance (MIS) production by the developing testis of an Australian marsupial, the tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii), was determined during pouch life using an organ-culture bioassay of mouse fetal urogenital ridge. This information was related to the morphological events during testicular migration and descent. MIS biological activity was found in testes (but not ovaries or liver) of pouch young from 2 to 85 days of age. MIS production had commenced by day 2, which is within a day of the first gross morphological signs of testicular differentiation. Mullerian duct regression occurred between 10 and 30 days, which partly coincided with testicular migration to the inguinal region and enlargement of the gubernacular bulb (15 to 30 days). These observations are consistent with the hypothesis that MIS may be involved in testicular transabdominal migration. The epididymis commenced development and growth only after the testis had descended through the inguinal ring. This provides no support for the suggestion that the epididymis is involved in testicular descent into the scrotum. The basic sequence of events in post-testicular sexual differentiation in the wallaby is sufficiently similar to that seen in eutherian mammals to make it an excellent experimental model for future studies of testicular differentiation, migration and descent.

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