Ultrastructurally, at least five different cell types were identified in the genital duct system of the cock, namely (1) low cuboidal cells lining the rete testis, (2) and (3) nonciliated type I and ciliated cells, lining the ductuli efferentes and narrow connecting ductules, (4) non-ciliated type II cells, lining the wide connecting ductules, ductus epididymidis and ductus deferens, and (5) basal cells found mainly with type II cells.The low cuboidal cells have an imbricated arrangement which, in a tissue section, influences the interpretation of their shape as well as their luminal and basal connections; squamous, cuboidal, and other shapes were observed. They possess a large Golgi complex, many small mitochondria, a few profiles of rough endoplasmic recticulum and electron dense cytoplasmic bodies. The fine structure indicates an active secretory function; the secretion is probably of a protein-rich type. The cells appear to be capable of taking up spermatozoa from the lumen. There is a rich distribution of nerves in the subepithelial tissue. This could indicate a contractile function of the rete cells; its significance has been discussed.The non-ciliated type I cells are characterized by the presence of electron-dense wormlike structures which are connected to the surface or scattered in the apical cytoplasm. Their luminal border has many microvilli, some of which form stereocilia. There is an abundance of mitochondria and smooth endoplasmic reticulum; these are evidences of metabolic and secretory activities respectively, but the nature of the secretion is unknown. Lysosomal bodies of many types are scattered throughout the cytoplasm of the non-ciliated type I cell. The worm-like bodies may be concerned with the uptake from the lumen.The main ultrastructural features of the non-ciliated type II cells are similar to those of protein secreting cells like the exocrine pancreatic acini and salivary glands. There is an abundance of distended rough and transitional endoplasmic reticulum, a well developed Golgi complex, smooth vesicles and electron-dense secretory granules in various stages of formation. Mature granules are discharged by the fusion of their membranes with the cell membrane of the secretory surface. There is an intimate association between the membranes limiting the endoplasmic reticulum and those of the mitochondria. Dense vacuolated bodies are present in the cytoplasm which are probably lysosomes. The cytoplasmic fibrillar content of these cells and the rich innervation in the subepithelial tissue suggest a contractile function.The ciliated cells possess a small Golgi complex and many mitochondria, slightly smaller than those of the type I cells and concentrated mainly in the supranuclear region. In view of the presence of motile cilia, and probably the fibrous cytoplasmic bundles, the ciliated cells may function in moving spermatozoa along the excurrent ducts. The cells are non-secretory but could play a role in the resorption of fluids secreted by the seminiferous tubules in an analogous way to...

Summary. Ultrastructural observations were made on fowl spermatids and free spermatozoa, fixed in situ, in the lumina of the seminiferous tubules, the rete testis, the ductuli efferentes, the connecting ductules, the ductus epididymidis and different levels of the ductus deferens.Changes occurred in the acrosome during the differentiation of the spermatid. The

The fate of fowl spermatozoa and testicular fluid retained in the excurrent ducts, and some properties of the epithelial cells lining the ducts, were studied after ligation of the ductus deferens by light and electron microscopy. Striking changes occurred 3 or 4 weeks after ligation.Spermatozoa accumulated cranial to the ligature chiefly in the lumina of the ductuli efferentes. They showed signs of disintegration mainly in the head where there was a disruption of chromatin and loosening of membranes. An increased amount of cell d\l=e'\bris of unknown identity was also observed in the lumina of the ducts. The uptake of spermatozoa by epithelial cells lining the male tract was seen in normal males but was much increased after ligation. The process was evident in the low cuboidal cells of the rete testis and in the ciliated and non-ciliated Type I cells lining the ductuli efferentes and narrow connecting ductules, and in the non-ciliated Type II cells lining the wide connecting ductules, ductus epididymidis and ductus deferens. Macrophages, containing spermatozoa, were found in the lumina of the ducts, in the subepithelial tissue and wedged between the basal lamina and the surface epithelia. All of these observations may indicate a route for the disposal of unejaculated spermatozoa in the male fowl.Cytoplasmic vacuoles containing testicular fluid were seen in the apical parts of the ciliated cells and this may represent resorption of the fluid by these cells.

Ultrastructural studies were made on the uterovaginal sperm-host glands from virgin and inseminated hens. Their fine structure differs only in the presence of spermatozoa in the glandular lumina. Ciliated and non-ciliated epithelial cells were present; the former occurred in the neck region of the tubular glands and merged with the general vaginal surface epithelium.The true glandular epithelium was composed of non-ciliated cells which showed evidence of high metabolic and secretory activities. The secretion contained carbohydrate and lipid but apocrine secretion rich in glycogen was also observed occasionally. The significance of these secretions in relation to the survival of the stored spermatozoa is discussed. The non-ciliated cells contained many cytoplasmic filaments resembling tonofibrils. It is suggested that these confer contractility on the gland cells, so mobilizing the spermatozoa in response to unknown periodic stimuli associated with oviposition or ovulation.The stored spermatozoa did not form an intimate association with the lining cells of the glands but the covering membranes of the heads of spermatozoa adhered to each other. It is suggested that this might be due to the absence of antiagglutinating factors in the sperm-host glands.

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