scholarly journals Cytological response of the principal cells in the initial segment of the epididymal duct to efferent duct cutting in mice.

1989 ◽  
Vol 52 (4) ◽  
pp. 321-326 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiroko TAKANO ◽  
Kazuhiro ABE
Keyword(s):  
Initial Segment ◽  
Efferent Duct ◽  
Principal Cells ◽  
Epididymal Duct

scholarly journals Castration causes an increase in lysosomal size and upregulation of cathepsin D expression in principal cells along with increased secretion of procathepsin D and prosaposin oligomers in adult rat epididymis

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. e0250454
Author(s):  
Lorena Carvelli ◽  
Andrea Carolina Aguilera ◽  
Leila Zyla ◽  
Laura Lucía Pereyra ◽  
Carlos R. Morales ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Complex Formation ◽  
Cathepsin D ◽  
Initial Segment ◽  
Lysosomal Enzymes ◽  
Sperm Maturation ◽  
Principal Cells ◽  
Adult Rat ◽  
Rat Epididymis ◽  
Lysosomal Proteins

In the epididymis, lysosomal proteins of the epithelial cells are normally targeted from the Golgi apparatus to lysosomes for degradation, although their secretion into the epididymal lumen has been documented and associated with sperm maturation. In this study, cathepsin D (CatD) and prosaposin (PSAP) were examined in adult epididymis of control, and 2-day castrated rats without (Ct) and with testosterone replacement (Ct+T) to evaluate their expression and regulation within epididymal epithelial cells. By light microscope-immunocytochemistry, a quantitative increase in size of lysosomes in principal cells of Ct animals was noted from the distal initial segment to the proximal cauda. Androgen replacement did not restore the size of lysosomes to control levels. Western blot analysis revealed a significant increase in CatD expression in the epididymis of Ct animals, which suggested an upregulation of its expression in principal cells; androgens restored levels of CatD to that of controls. In contrast, PSAP expression in Ct animals was not altered from controls. Additionally, an increase in procathepsin D levels was noted from samples of the epididymal fluid of Ct compared to control animals, accompanied by an increased complex formation with PSAP. Moreover, an increased oligomerization of prosaposin was observed in the epididymal lumen of Ct rats, with changes reverted to controls in Ct+T animals. Taken together these data suggest castration causes an increased uptake of substrates that are acted upon by CatD in lysosomes of principal cells and in the lumen by procathepsin D. These substrates may be derived from apoptotic cells noted in the lumen of proximal regions and possibly by degenerating sperm in distal regions of the epididymis of Ct animals. Exploring the mechanisms by which lysosomal enzymes are synthesized and secreted by the epididymis may help resolve some of the issues originating from epididymal dysfunctions with relevance to sperm maturation.

scholarly journals Characterization of β-defensin 42 expressed in principal cells at the initial segment of the rat epididymis

2015 ◽  
Vol 47 (11) ◽  
pp. 861-869 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aijie Xin ◽  
Yue Zhao ◽  
Heguo Yu ◽  
Huijuan Shi ◽  
Hua Diao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Initial Segment ◽  
Principal Cells ◽  
Rat Epididymis

The structure and function of the epididymis. 2. The histogenesis of the rat epididymis.

1959 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 22 ◽  
Author(s):  
BL Reid
Keyword(s):  
Connective Tissue ◽  
Ciliated Cells ◽  
Efferent Duct ◽  
White Rats ◽  
Efferent Ducts ◽  
Caudal Portion ◽  
Rat Epididymis ◽  
Nuclear Differentiation ◽  
And Function ◽  
Epididymal Duct

Observations were made on the epididymides of young white rats of the following ages: 3, 21, 28, 32, 37, 39, 56, 72, 96, 110 days. Both efferent ducts and epididymal duct are undifferentiated at 21 days with a similar cuboidal epithelium. The connective tissue coat of the efferent ducts is one cell thick whereas that of the epididymal duct is two or three cells thick. The possible involvement of the connective tissue in the process of histogenesis is discussed. Differentiation within the epididymal duct commences at 28 days when the epithelium in the cephalic portion is tall and that in the caudal portion of the head and remainder of the tail is tall with isolated segments of low columnar epithelium. The latter epithelium is associated with a wider lumen which evidently becomes continuous down the duct. In the efferent ducts at this stage ciliated cells have appeared. Differentiation of the cephalic portion of the head is completed rapidly by the 37th day but that of the caudal portion of the head and tail of the organ is completed only at the 96th day. In certain zones, histodifferentiation is accompanied by obvious nuclear differentiation. Spermatozoa first appear in the testis at 56 days but do not enter and fill the epididymal ducts until 72 days. There is evidence of an outflow of fluid from the testis which carries spermatocytes and spermatids into the duct at 32 days. The changes in the epithelium of the efferent duct, the epididymis, and the deferent duct from the 3rd to the 110th day are tabulated.

The structure and fuction of the Epididymis. 1. The histology of the Rat Epididymis.

1957 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 223 ◽  
Author(s):  
KW Cleland
Keyword(s):  
Unit Volume ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Histological Techniques ◽  
Principal Cells ◽  
White Rats ◽  
Efferent Ducts ◽  
Rat Epididymis ◽  
Histological Characteristics ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Epididymal Duct

Epididymides from six white rats have been examined by standard histological techniques. The epididymis, consisting of rete, efferent ducts, and epididymal duct possesses an epithelium containing six cell types-principal, basal, ciliated, apical, halo, and clear cells-each of which is described. Cytoplasmic differences in the principal cells permit two zones to be recognized in the efferent ducts. The principal cells along the length of the epididymal duct vary in a number of features such as: height, depth and distribution of staining, the incidence, size, and intracellular distribution of vacuoles, the shape of the nuclei, and the distribution of chromatin within them. Such differences permit definition of six major zones, some of which may be further subdivided. Variations in the histological characteristics of the various zones in different individuals have been described. These zones have been related to the usual anatomical divisions of head, isthmus, and tail. The lumen of the epididymis contains spermatids and their breakdown products in addition to spermatozoa. The latter vary in density (number per unit volume), and in their arrangement with respect to one another, in the various zones of the efferent epididymal ducts. The implications of these histological findings in the physiology of the epididymis are discussed.

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