Scanning and transmission electron microscope observations of the terminal segment of the cat seminiferous tubule: Epithelial phagocytosis of spermatozoa and latex beads.

Ultrastructure of the Rete testis in the Cat (Felis domestica, L.)*

“…Thus, the epithelial cells that line the straight tubules in cat show interrelation among the Golgi apparatus dictiosomes (with cis-trans polarity), and the long profiles of the ER, mainly the rough ER. This last configuration, as a general cytological rule, is suggestive of protein secretion (NOVIKOFF/HOLTZMAN, 1977;ALBERTS et d., 1983).…”

“…Similarly to other mammals which have an organized testicular mediastinum (DYM, 1976; ROOSEN-RUNGE/ HOLSTEIN, 1978;WROBEL et al, 1978;ORSI et al, 1980;ORSI et al, 1984;HEES et al, 1989), the rete testis in the cat is characterized by three distinct and sequential segments: septal or adlobular, mediastinal and tunical (albuginic) parts, that were previously described at light microscopic level ( VIOITO et al, 1990). This rete testis (RT) is morphologically axial and labirinthic (DYM, 1976), and has a predominantly tubular complex pattern disposed along the testicular mediastinum ( VIOITO et al, 1990).…”

“…This rete testis (RT) is morphologically axial and labirinthic (DYM, 1976), and has a predominantly tubular complex pattern disposed along the testicular mediastinum ( VIOITO et al, 1990). A prior mediastinal pattern to the RT is also described in man (ROOSEN-RUNGE/ HOLSTEIN, 1978) and in other domestic mammals (DYM, 1976;WROBEL et al, 1978;ORSI et d., 1980;ORSI et al, 1984;HEES et al, 1987;HEES et al, 1989). Nevertheless HEES et al on previous reports basis of WROBEL et al (1978), do not consider the presence of a "septal rete testis".…”

Gene knockouts that affect Sertoli cell function

“…Increasing lines of evidence also suggest that Sertoli cell phagocytosis may target more than the two types of cells or cellular structures because developing male germ cells produce numerous vesicles containing unwanted or recyclable materials that can be phagocytized by Sertoli cells for processing and recycling [107]. The morphological observation of Sertoli cell phagocytosis through light or electron microscopy has been well documented [107À110].…”

A Scanning Electron Microscopic Study of the Rete testis of the Guinea Pig

“…In addition to strictly morphological data, histochemical [Fawcett and Dym, 1974] and physiological [Tuck et al, 1970;Setchell et al, 1994] analyses of the RT complex have led to the conclusion that: (1) The RT plays a valvular role in the control of seminal flow between the testicular and extratesticular seminal pathways; (2) homogenization of seminal fluid occurs in the RT [Lauth, 1830;RoosenRunge and Holstein, 1978], and (3) selective spermiophagy within the RT eliminates altered spermatozoa [Sinowatz et al, 1979;Wrobel et al, 1986;Murakami et al, 1988;Hees et al, 1989;Viotto et al, 1993].…”