Testes, epididymides, and vasa deferentia of rats were examined for the distribution of cholinesterases using the Koelle thiocholine method. Activity of these enzymes was studied from birth to maturity. Acetylcholinesterase appeared first in Schwann cells of the nerve plexus of the vas deferens and cauda epididymidis at birth. Epithelial cell pseudo-cholinesterase appears in the vas deferens at four days, and an adult distribution is attained at thirty days. Testis, rete testis, ductuli efferentes, and upper caput epididymidis are mainly negative for cholinesterases. In the remainder of the epididymis, three zones of intense epithelial cell reactivity are preceded by regions of lesser intensity. Smooth muscles of the epididymis are negative, but the vas deferens musculature reacts for pseudo-cholinesterase. The nerve plexus is positive for both acetyl-and pseudo-cholinesterase, and is confined to the corpus and cauda epididymidis and vas deferens. The increasing density of the enzymepositive nerves, and the cholinesterase reaction of the musculature distally suggests a probable inhibitory role in the regulation of smooth muscle function in these regions under normal conditions. The absence of an enzyme-positive innervation and the presence of a n enzyme-negative musculature of the caput is correlated with an active rhythmic contractility in this region, which gradually disappears distally.
Epithelial cells of the rat epididymis are of two major types, principal and holocrine. So called basal, apical, and clear cells represent different stages of the holocrine cell cycle in which it accumulates secretion products, dies, and is replaced. The two cell typss differ not only in their secretory behavior, but also in mitotic characteristics and staining properties. Condensed mitoses of holocrine cells occur in the basal epithelium, but larger mitotic figures of principal cells occur in their own apical regions. Holocrine cells are acid phosphatase positive only in their activated basal forms, but are strongly PAS and silver positive in all stages except when disintegrating. In principal cells, cnly the Golgi area is acid phosphatase and silver positive, and small scattered PAS gianules also appear in this region. While secretory functions of both cell types are under testicular hormone control, frequent mating releases holocrine cells from the e:pithelium into the lumen where they disintegrate. A shortened cycle in mated males occurs within 24 hours. Holocrine cells are also present in the rat vas deferens. Cells with similar staining reactions occur in ductuli efferentes and seminal vesicles of the rat, and in epididymides of hamsters and guinea pigs. Similar fixation methods and staining reactions applied to purified glycerylphosphorylcholine indicate that ho:locrine cells may accumulate and secrete this constituent of epididyma1 fluids.Recently Martan and Risley (in press) reported that frequent matings resulted in distinct alterations in epithelial cell structure in the epididymis of the rat. Marked increases in columnar cell heights, especially in sperm-free operated sides of mated hemicastrate:;, enabled the study of differences in staining reactions of epididymal cells and the recognition of relationships between so-called basal, apical, and clear cells. This report dealt mainly with principal cells and some of their staining properties. In the present paper all other epithelial cells are considered. Basal, apical, and clear cells are regarded as developmental si:ages of a holocrine type of secretory cell in the rat epididymis. This holocrine cell accumulates secretion within itself, dies, and is replaced by another cell.This concept reduces the epididymal epithelial cell population into only two major types of cells, and simplifies and clarifies some secretory funchons of the epididymal duct; it also suggests certain relations to spermatozoan maturation. MATERIALS AND METHODSTwenty-six male rats of Long-Evans and Wistar strains, bred and maintained in our colony, furnished the materials studied.One adult male hamster and one guinea pig were also used. Six experimental groups were prepared for study as follows:( 1 ) Hemicastrated adult males ( 4 ) ; ten days after the operation they were kept for ten successive nights with receptive females, and were killed on the tenth morning.(2) Castrated adult males (2); treated as above.(3) Ten normal young males were killed in pairs at 20, 30, 40, 5...
The spermatogenetic cycle of the testis of the musk turtle is limited to the summer months of the year, and closely parallels that of the anuran Amphibia. Spermatozoa are present in the testis from September to May, and breeding may occur in either fall or spring. A pronounced increase in the size of the epididymis and a corresponding decrease in the size of the testis occurs at the end of the cycle (September). During the months of March, April and May, all spermatozoa are eliminated from the seminal tubules, and the germinal epithelium is built up in preparation for spermatogenesis. Spermatogonial divisions occur in small numbers in May, and the division tempo increases during June. Primary spermatocytes and maturation divisions appear after the middle of June, and continue through July and August. Spermiogenesis begins in late July, is in full progress in August, and is practically completed by October. Laboratory specimens usually show an active spermatogenesis in winter, but it is not probable that a second spermatogenetic cycle occurs in specimens under normal hibernating conditions. No seasonal changes are observed in the interstitial cells of the testis, and no seasonally variable secondary sex characters are known for turtles. Special studies of the problem are being conducted.
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