The epididymal secretions in cases of obstructive azoospermia, where the site of obstruction was distal to the body of the epididymis, were studied by means of new staining techniques for the detection of spermiophage cells. The spermiophage cells were rich in lipoid material which resembled the pigment lipofuscin. Results of such staining demonstrated that phagocytosis was the chief mechanism involved in the disposal of dead spermatozoa in the majority ofsuch cases. Study of epididymal biopsies in these cases demonstrated that the sperm phagocytosis was chiefly intraluminal and the occurrence of extravasation of spermatozoa in the interstitial tissues of the epididymis was a rare phenomenon. Evidence is presented to show that the spermiophage cells are derived from the basal layer of cells lining the epididymal tubules and in some instances the columnar epithelial lining of the epididymal tubules manifested phagocytic properties. The possible significance of this finding, and its role in the development of auto-antibodies against spermatozoa in the host, is discussed.

Summary. Blood (1952). The probable mechanism responsible for the production of sperm agglutinins is discussed. It is concluded that the presence of sperm agglutinins in the blood serum does not interfere with the fertility of the individual.

Immunohistological studies on the localization of inhibin in human testes were carried out to investigate the cell types involved in inhibin synthesis/storage. The paraffin embedded testicular tissues were stained by an indirect immunoperoxidase technique. Specific antiserum to human testicular inhibin generated against the homogenous preparation of human testicular inhibin at our laboratory was used as the first antibody. Inhibin was found to be localized in Sertoli cells, spermatogonia, and primary spermatocytes. A weak positive reaction was also observed in spermatids. Interestingly, Leydig cells showed positive reaction indicating presence of inhibin in these cells too.

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