Structure and function of the ductuli efferentes: A review

Ilio, Kenneth Y.; Hess, Rex A.

doi:10.1002/jemt.1070290604

Cited by 194 publications

(258 citation statements)

References 244 publications

(337 reference statements)

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“…The ductuli efferentes of H. turcicus are lined by a cuboidal epithelium that consists of ciliated and nonciliated cells consistent with reports in mammals (Ilio and Hess, 1994), birds (Aire, 2007), and other reptiles (Guerrero et al, 2004;Akbarsha et al, 2007;Sever, 2010). In addition to being a conduit for sperm, the ductuli efferentes have been ascribed roles in fluid resorption, secretion, and spermiophagy (Hess, 2002).…”

Section: Testicular Ducts In H Turcicussupporting

confidence: 76%

“…In addition to being a conduit for sperm, the ductuli efferentes have been ascribed roles in fluid resorption, secretion, and spermiophagy (Hess, 2002). The ductuli efferentes of vertebrates typically lack large secretory granules but contain apocrine blebs (Ilio and Hess, 1994) like we found in H. turcicus during the inactive months. These blebs may be responsible for the release of a granular secretion into the lumen (Sever, 2010).…”

Section: Testicular Ducts In H Turcicussupporting

confidence: 70%

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Proximal Testicular Ducts of the Mediterranean Gecko (Hemidactylus turcicus)

Rheubert

Sever

Geheber

et al. 2010

The Anatomical Record

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The efferent ducts of the Mediterranean Gecko, Hemidactylus turcicus (Gekkonidae) were investigated using light and electron microscopy. The seminiferous tubules unite into a single rete testis tubule. The rete testis divides into 3-4 ductuli efferentes which all drain into the cranial portion of the ductus epididymis. All efferent ducts are most active during the months of December to August. The rete testis is composed of a simple squamous epithelium with bifurcated nuclei and a labyrinthine network of intercellular canaliculi. Ciliated and nonciliated cells are present, and more than one cilium extends from the scattered ciliated cells. The presence of small clear vesicles and widened intercellular canaliculi suggest that cells of the rete testis are responsible for intake of luminal fluids. The ductuli efferentes are composed of a simple cuboidal epithelium consisting of ciliated and nonciliated cells, and ciliated cells are the dominant cell type. During the inactive season the number of lysosomes increases and the cells become spermiophagic. The ductus epididymis is composed of a tall pseudostratified columnar epithelium with relatively scarce basal cells. No evidence for regionalization was observed. The ductus epididymis is highly secretory during the active season with numerous electron-dense secretory granules, whose glycoprotein products are released by merocrine secretion. Basally, the active epididymis has swollen intercellular canaliculi and enlarged cisternae of rough endoplasmic reticulum. During the inactive season the secretory activity decreases and membranous structures and fibrous material are observed within widened intercellular canaliculi apical to the basal cells. Anat Rec, 293:2176Rec, 293: -2192

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Section: Testicular Ducts In H Turcicussupporting

confidence: 76%

Section: Testicular Ducts In H Turcicussupporting

confidence: 70%

Proximal Testicular Ducts of the Mediterranean Gecko (Hemidactylus turcicus)

Rheubert

Sever

Geheber

et al. 2010

The Anatomical Record

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“…The efferent ductule epithelium reabsorbs nearly 96% of the luminal fluids, including ions, water and nearly 80% of the proteins (Clulow et al, 1994(Clulow et al, , 1996(Clulow et al, , 1998Ilio and Hess, 1994;Man et al, 1997;Hansen et al, 1999). Endocytosis alone cannot account for the total capacity of reabsorption of this epithelium (Jones and Jurd, 1987).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The efferent ductules are widely recognized for their ability to reabsorb most of the fluid leaving the testis (Robaire and Hermo, 1988;Ilio and Hess, 1994;Clulow et al, 1998). Three major pathways have been reported for the epithelium to reabsorb the fluid.…”

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confidence: 99%

Morphological analysis of endocytosis in efferent ductules of estrogen receptor‐α knockout male mouse

et al. 2001

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Lack of estrogen receptor (ER) results in fluid accumulation and dilation of the efferent ductules, suggesting that the role of estrogen and ER in the male reproductive tract is related to fluid reabsorption in the ductules. In the present study, endocytosis of the nonciliated cells of the efferent ductules was compared morphologically between wild type (WT) and estrogen receptor-␣ knockout (␣ERKO) male mice. The epithelial cells lining the WT efferent ductules were tall columnar in shape, whereas those of the ␣ERKO were low columnar. Immunocytochemically, the nonciliated cells of both genotypes showed positive reactions of sulfated glycoprotein-2, but the reaction products were reduced in amount in the ␣ERKO. Electron microscopy revealed that the nonciliated cells of the WT had numerous organelles for endocytosis such as coated pits and vesicles, tubules, endosomes, multivesicular bodies and lysosomes in the apical cytoplasm. These organelles were less developed in the nonciliated cells of the ␣ERKO. Morphometric analysis indicated that there was a significant reduction in area of endocytotic apparatus in the nonciliated cells of the ␣ERKO compared with that of the WT. A tracer study using gold particles demonstrated that the nonciliated cells of both WT and ␣ERKO efferent ductules were capable of taking up luminal contents. These results suggest that reabsorption of the luminal contents via endocytosis takes place in the efferent ductules but is greatly reduced in amount in the absence of ER␣.

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“…It is derived from the Wolffian duct during embryonic male reproductive tract development and differentiates under the influence of testosterone (Cornwall, 2003;Robaire, 2005;Rodriguez et al, 2002). Ultrastructural analyses of the epididymis (Ilio and Hess, 1994;Robaire, 2005), and effects of various toxicants on epididymal sperm structure and maturation have all been extensively studied (Howdeshell et al, 2008;Marty et al, 2003). Anatomically, the epididymis is organized into three regions including caput, corpus and cauda epididymis that are further sub-divided into various segments (Abe et al, 1984;Adamali et al, 1999;Hess, 2002;Robaire, 2005).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Segment- And Cell-Specific Expression of Dtype Cyclins in the Postnatal Mouse Epididymis

Wang

2007

Biology of Reproduction

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Sperm transport, maturation and storage are the essential functions of the epididymis. The epididymis in the mouse is structurally characterized by regional and segmental organization including caput, corpus and cauda epididymis that are comprised of ten segments. Although several growth factor signaling pathways have been discovered in the epididymis, how these converge onto the cell cycle components is unknown. To begin to elucidate the growth factor control of cell cycle events in the epididymis, we analyzed the expression of D-type cyclins at different postnatal ages. At 7d, cyclin D1 was mainly expressed in the cauda epithelium, by 14d its expression occurred in the epithelium of caput, corpus and cauda that persisted up to 21d. By 42d, cyclin D1 was mostly detectable in the principal cells of the caput and corpus (segments 1-7) but not in the cauda epididymis. Expression of cyclin D2, unlike that of cyclin D1, was evident only at 42d but not earlier, and was mostly confined to corpus and cauda epithelium. In contrast to both cyclin D1 and D2, cyclin D3 was expressed primarily in the interstitium at 7d and by 21d its expression was localized to the epithelium of the corpus and cauda epididymis. By 42d, expression of cyclin D3 peaked in segments 6-10 and confined to basal and principal cells of the corpus and apical cells of the cauda epithelium. Ki67 immunoreactivity confirmed absence of cell proliferation despite continued expression of D-type cyclins in the adult epididymis. Collectively, on the basis of our immunophenotyping and protein expression data, we conclude that the D-type cyclins are expressed in a development -, segment-, and cell-specific manner in the postnatal mouse epididymis.

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Structure and function of the ductuli efferentes: A review

Cited by 194 publications

References 244 publications

Proximal Testicular Ducts of the Mediterranean Gecko (Hemidactylus turcicus)

Proximal Testicular Ducts of the Mediterranean Gecko (Hemidactylus turcicus)

Morphological analysis of endocytosis in efferent ductules of estrogen receptor‐α knockout male mouse

Segment- And Cell-Specific Expression of Dtype Cyclins in the Postnatal Mouse Epididymis

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