高原型藏羊和小尾寒羊睾丸小叶及附睾微动脉的解剖学特征

分别从青海和甘肃采集高原型藏羊(Ovis aries)和小尾寒羊睾丸各20枚,用血管铸型技术和扫描电镜方法,研究两品种绵羊睾丸小叶及附睾微动脉的超微形态特征。结果显示,两品种绵羊的睾丸小叶及附睾微动脉走形呈一定程度的弯曲,其中睾丸小叶内离心动脉、离心小动脉及向心小动脉均呈"树枝"状分布。研究发现,与低海拔地区的小尾寒羊相比,高原型藏羊睾丸的绳结状动脉具有更密集的螺旋状排布,小动脉分支也较多,并且向心动脉、绳结状动脉、离心动脉、附睾头微动脉的管径也较粗。此外,高原型藏羊睾丸小叶和附睾头微动脉表面的"梭形"压痕较浅,而小尾寒羊的则较深;高原型藏羊睾丸小叶毛细血管前微动脉的表面缢痕较多且密集,而小尾寒羊的则相对少而稀疏。研究认为,高原型藏羊睾丸小叶及附睾微动脉的超微形态特征,有利于血管的收缩、睾丸供血及高原环境下精子的成熟,是睾丸对高原环境的适应性特征。     

藏山羊与藏绵羊肺组织结构的对比研究

为了探讨藏山羊（Capra hircus）与藏绵羊（Ovis aries）在高原低氧环境中肺组织结构的差异,采用Gomori醛品红染色及H.E染色对藏山羊和藏绵羊肺组织进行对比研究。结果表明,藏山羊与藏绵羊肺被膜厚度无显著差异（P > 0.05）,但肺被膜中弹力纤维藏山羊显著多于藏绵羊（P < 0.05）。肺泡面积藏山羊与藏绵羊无显著差异（P > 0.05）,但肺泡隔宽度和肺泡隔中毛细血管的数量藏山羊显著高于藏绵羊（P < 0.05）。肺细支气管黏膜皱襞厚度藏山羊与藏绵羊无显著差异（P > 0.05）,但细支气管平滑肌厚度藏山羊显著高于藏绵羊,细支气管黏膜上皮1 mm2中杯状细胞数量藏山羊显著高于藏绵羊（P < 0.05）。外径小于100 μm的肺微动脉中,藏山羊血管平滑肌占外径百分比显著高于藏绵羊（P < 0.05）,而当外径大于100 μm时,两者间差异不显著（P > 0.05）。     

绵羊ESR2基因组织表达及其多态性与产羔数关联分析

为了探究雌激素受体2 (Estrogen receptor 2, ESR2)基因在绵羊各组织的表达及其多态性与产羔数之间的关系,本研究利用半定量PCR和实时荧光定量PCR技术检测ESR2基因在不同繁殖力小尾寒羊群体组织中的相对表达量,同时采用Sequenom MassARRAY誖SNP技术对多羔品种绵羊(小尾寒羊,湖羊,策勒黑羊)和单羔品种绵羊(苏尼特羊,草原型藏羊,滩羊) ESR2基因g.73324006C>T位点进行检测,并与小尾寒羊产羔数进行关联分析。半定量PCR表明,ESR2基因在单、多羔小尾寒羊子宫中高表达,在其它组织中等或低丰度表达;单羔群体、多羔群体间荧光定量PCR表明,ESR2基因在单羔小尾寒羊垂体表达量显著高于多羔小尾寒羊(p<0.05);群体遗传学分析表明,g.73324006C>T在小尾寒羊群体中表现为低度多态(PIC<0.25),在滩羊群体中处于中度多态(0.25T在小尾寒羊群体处于哈代温伯格平衡状态(p>0.05);关联分析表明,g.73324006C>T位点多态性与小尾寒羊第一胎、第二胎、第三胎产羔数及平均产羔数均显著关联(p<0.05),CC型各胎产羔数均高于TC型。与FecB (A746G)基因组合后发现,GG-CC和AG-CC基因型母羊产羔数显著高于AA-TC、AA-CC、AG-TC基因型组合(p<0.05)。综上,ESR2与小尾寒羊产羔数密切相关,g.73324006C>T可作为绵羊产羔性状选育的潜在分子标记。     

藏羚羊骨骼肌肌红蛋白含量及乳酸脱氢酶、苹果酸脱氢酶活力的研究

目的:探讨藏羚羊骨骼肌对低氧环境的适应机制。方法:以生活在同海拔高度(4 300 m)的藏绵羊和低海拔绵羊(1 800 m)为对照,用分光光度法测定三种动物骨骼肌中肌红蛋白(Mb)含量、乳酸(LA)含量,酶活力法测定三种动物骨骼肌中乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)和苹果酸脱氢酶(MDH)活力。结果:藏羚羊骨骼肌中Mb含量明显高于藏绵羊和低海拔绵羊(P<0.05),而藏绵羊和低海拔绵羊间无明显差异。LA含量和LDH活力明显低于藏绵羊和低海拔绵羊(P<0.05),而MDH活力及MDH/LDH比值显著高于藏绵羊和低海拔绵羊(P<0.05),藏绵羊和低海拔绵羊间无明显差异。结论:藏羚羊可能通过增加骨骼肌中Mb的含量,提高其在低氧环境获取氧的能力,且藏羚羊骨骼肌组织中有氧代谢比例高,这可能与肌肉中Mb含量较高有关,推测藏羚羊较高的Mb含量可能是其适应高原缺氧条件的分子基础之一。     

中国石龙子雄性生殖腺的年周期变化

20 0 1年 3月至 2 0 0 2年 2月期间 ,通过每月捕捉浙江丽水中国石龙子 (Eumeceschinensis)雄性成体 ,解剖动物、观测性腺的形态和组织学特征 ,研究雄性生殖周期。睾丸重量和体积、附睾重、输精管重和曲细精管直径有显著的季节变化。睾丸 3月份最重 ,5-9月最轻。睾丸体积和重量的年周期变化规律一致。附睾 3月份最重 ,8-9月份最轻。输精管 4月最重 ,8-10月最轻。生精活动始于 9月下旬 ,翌年 4月最为活跃。 3月下旬曲细精管直径达全年最大值 ,管腔中开始出现呈穗状排列的精子。从基膜到管腔 ,各级生精细胞依次排列。 4月份生精上皮的生精活动最为活跃 ,5月下旬生精活动已近停止 ,7-8月份曲细精管管壁仅由精原细胞 (其间夹有支持细胞 )构成。根据曲细精管生精上皮的年周期变化规律 ,中国石龙子 8月份睾丸生精活动处于第Ⅰ期 ,9月至次年 2月份第Ⅱ期 ,3月上、中旬为Ⅲ期 ,3月底至 4月为Ⅳ期 ,5-6月份为Ⅴ期 ,7月份为Ⅵ期。 4月下旬附睾管腔中有大量的成熟精子 ,7月附睾管腔中已无精子。中国石龙子属于关联型繁殖周期     

乌梢蛇输精管道的组织学与免疫细胞化学观察

为探讨乌梢蛇(Zaocys dhumnades)输精管道结构与其功能之间的关系,该研究用一般光镜技术观察了乌梢蛇输精管道的显微结构及其年周期变化,并结合免疫细胞化学方法研究了雄激素受体(AR)、雌激素受体(ER)、孕激素受体(PR)和芳香化酶(Ar)在输精管和精巢中精子细胞表达的相关性.为验证该文在乌梢蛇输精管中观察到的大量精子和圆球状结构,用一般光镜技术还观察了黑眉锦蛇(Elaphe taeniura)、赤链蛇(Dinodon rufozonatum)与虎斑颈槽蛇(Rhabdophis tigrina lateralis)的输精管道.结果表明,乌梢蛇的输精管道主要由输出小管、附睾管与输精管构成;8-10月输出小管中有精子,8月—翌年1月附睾管中有精子,全年(除7月外)输精管中有大量精子;在输精管内首次观察到由多个精子细胞构成的圆球状结构,该结构与精巢中精子细胞的AR、ER、PR和Ar累计光密度值之间分别无显著差异.由于在乌梢蛇、黑眉锦蛇及赤链蛇的输精管内圆球状结构均可见精子细胞变态形成精子.因此,建议将蛇类输精管内圆球状结构命名为生精小球(seminiferous spherule).该文认为,蛇类精巢是精子形成的主要部位,而输精管内的生精小球是精子形成的另一个部位;附睾与输精管均可以储存精子,但输精管是精子储存的主要器官.     

罗格列酮和血清脂对绵羊前体脂肪细胞分化的影响

目的探讨罗格列酮(rosiglitazone,Ros)和血清脂(serum lipid,Lip)对绵羊前体脂肪细胞分化的影响及不同组织来源的前体脂肪细胞分化影响的差异。方法用不同浓度的Ros和(或)Lip培养绵羊皮下前体脂肪细胞和肾周前体脂肪细胞,通过测量3-磷酸甘油脱氢酶(GPDH)活性和油红O染色萃取液A值分析前体脂肪细胞的分化程度和脂肪细胞充脂量的变化,应用实时荧光定量PCR检测PPARγ和LPL mRNA的表达水平。结果 Ros和Lip提高细胞GPDH活性和脂滴的沉积量(P<0.05),上调LPL mRNA表达(P<0.05),最佳浓度分别为100nmol/L和20μL/mL;最佳浓度条件下Ros的诱导作用强于Lip(P<0.05),Ros显著提高了PPARγmRNA表达量(P<0.05),而Lip对PPARγmRNA的表达没有明显影响(P>0.05);Ros和Lip共同诱导与Ros单独作用之间没有明显差异(P>0.05);在相同诱导分化条件下,皮下前体脂肪细胞的分化程度高于肾周前体脂肪细胞(P<0.05)。结论研究结果表明Ros和Lip可促进绵羊前体脂肪细胞的分化,在相同条件下,皮下前体脂肪细胞的分化能力强于肾周前体脂肪细胞。     

雄性裸鼹鼠可育个体与不可育个体生殖系统结构与功能差异初探

目的观察和分析雄性裸鼹鼠中可育个体和不可育个体生殖系统结构和功能的差异,初步探索雄性不可育个体不能繁育后代的原因。方法雄性裸鼹鼠可育个体和不可育个体各5只,先采集一侧睾丸和附睾组织,称重后换算脏器系数;再采集另一侧睾丸组织,用中性甲醛溶液进行固定后制备组织切片;取另一侧附睾用作精子计数、精子活动度的测定;采集血清测定血清中黄体生成素(LH)和睾酮(T)浓度。结果与可育个体组相比较,不可育个体组的睾丸重量下降(P0.05),附睾重量显著下降(P0.01),且睾丸系数和附睾系数均显著下降(P0.01);精子数量显著减少(P0.01),精子活动度也显著减弱(P0.01);血清黄体生成素和睾酮水平均显著降低(P0.01);睾丸组织切片观察显示,不可育个体各级生精细胞严重脱落,排列混乱无序,支持细胞和间质细胞均有减少。结论雄性裸鼹鼠不可育个体生殖系统存在睾丸和附睾萎缩、生精功能下降和性激素分泌减少等现象。     

GPR143在绵羊皮肤组织中的表达及定位分析

G蛋白偶联受体143(G-protein coupled receptor143, GPR143)在黑素体的生物合成中起重要作用,本文旨在研究GPR143基因在不同毛色绵羊皮肤组织中的差异表达及定位,探索GPR143基因与毛色形成的相关性。通过qRT-PCR方法和免疫印迹方法分别检测不同毛色绵羊皮肤组织中GPR143基因mRNA水平和蛋白水平的表达差异;运用免疫荧光法对不同毛色绵羊皮肤组织中的GPR143基因进行定位并对结果进行光密度值分析。qRT-PCR结果显示,GPR143基因在黑色绵羊皮肤组织中mRNA相对表达量为白色绵羊的7.84倍,二者差异极显著(P<0.01);免疫印迹结果显示,黑色绵羊皮肤组织中GPR143蛋白表达量是白色绵羊的1.3倍,二者差异显著(P<0.05)。免疫荧光结果显示,GPR143蛋白的主要表达部位为绵羊皮肤组织毛囊外根鞘和表皮层,经光密度值分析后发现,GPR143在黑色绵羊皮肤毛囊外根鞘和表皮层的表达量显著高于白色绵羊。本研究结果表明不同毛色绵羊皮肤组织均能表达GPR143基因,但黑色绵羊皮肤组织中该基因的mRNA和蛋白水平都显著高于白色绵羊,说明GPR143的mRNA和蛋白在黑色绵羊皮肤组织中表达上调,在白色绵羊皮肤组织中表达下调。GPR143基因可能通过调控MITF水平和黑素体的数量、大小、运动和成熟进而参与绵羊毛色的形成过程。     

高原鼢鼠、高原鼠兔和大鼠肺表面活性物质组成和含量的比较

本研究通过分析肺表面活性物质(pulmonary surfactant,PS)组成和含量探讨高原鼢鼠(Myospalax baileyi)和高原鼠兔(Ochotona curzoniae)的低氧适应机制。高原鼢鼠和高原鼠兔各36只,捕捉于海拔3600 m左右的青海省海南州贵德县拉脊山地区,36只Sprague-Dawley(SD)大鼠购自海拔1500 m左右的兰州大学实验动物中心。所有动物麻醉后通过肺循环进行肺灌洗,充分洗净肺组织中的血液,取出完整的肺组织灌洗得到肺泡灌洗液。应用高效液相色谱法分析三种动物PS中磷脂的组成和含量;应用G-250考马斯亮蓝法、聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳(PAGE)和质谱测序分析PS蛋白质的含量和种类;应用溶氧电极测定了PS溶液中的溶氧量。结果表明:高原鼢鼠、高原鼠兔和SD大鼠PS中,总磷脂含量依次显著增加(P<0.05),总蛋白含量依次显著减少(P<0.05);三种动物PS中均含有亚油酰棕榈酰胆碱(linoleic palmitoylphosphatidylcholine,LPPC)、二棕榈酰磷脂酰胆碱(dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine,DPPC)、磷脂酰甘油(phosphatidylglycerol,PG)、磷脂酰肌醇(phosphatidylinositol,PI)和磷脂酰丝氨酸(phosphatidylserine,PSe)等5种磷脂成分,但其相对含量明显不同;在高原鼢鼠、高原鼠兔和SD大鼠中,LPPC所占比例依次显著增加(P<0.01);高原鼢鼠PS磷脂中,DPPC、PG和PI所占比例极显著高于高原鼠兔(P<0.01),高原鼠兔与SD大鼠之间没有显著差异(P>0.05);高原鼢鼠与高原鼠兔PS磷脂中,PSe所占比例没有显著差异(P>0.05),但均极显著高于SD大鼠(P<0.01)。三种动物PS中均含有血清白蛋白(serum albumin,SA),高原鼢鼠和高原鼠兔PS中含有血红蛋白β亚基构成的含血红素的同源四聚体蛋白,高原鼢鼠和SD大鼠PS中含有免疫球蛋白(immunoglobulin,Ig)重链残基,高原鼢鼠Ig重链残基含量极显著高于SD大鼠(P<0.01),含血红素蛋白含量显著高于高原鼠兔(P<0.05)。高原鼢鼠、高原鼠兔和SD大鼠PS溶液中溶氧量依次显著减小(P<0.01),但均显著高于生理盐水(P<0.01)。以上结果提示,高原鼢鼠和高原鼠兔PS中总蛋白含量显著增加,总磷脂含量显著减少,蛋白成分中含有高含量的含血红素同源四聚体蛋白,且高原鼢鼠主要磷脂成分DPPC的相对含量显著增加,这种PS成分和含量的变化增强了这两种高原动物对低氧环境的适应性。     

A study of the effect of high concentrations of fluoride on the reproductive organs of male rabbits, using light and scanning electron microscopy

Fluoride was orally administered to rabbits at 10 mg NaF/kg body weight for 18 or 29 months. The animals were then killed and the structure of the testis, epididymis and vas deferens studied under light and scanning electron microscopes. In animals treated for 29 months, the spermatogenic cells in the seminiferous tubules were disrupted, degenerated and devoid of spermatozoa. In animals treated for 18 or 29 months, loss of cilia on the epithelial cells lining the lumen of the ductuli efferentes of the caput epididymidis and of stereocilia on the epithelial cells lining the lumen of the vas deferens was observed. In some regions of the epithelial lining of the lumen of the ductuli efferentes and vas deferens, the boundaries of the cells were not clear and appeared to be peeled off. Mucus droplets were abundant in the vas deferens of control animals, but absent in both the treated groups. Spermatogenesis ceased only in animals treated for 29 months. The difference in the structural changes observed in the testes of the 2 treated groups may have been due to the blood-testis barrier. It is concluded that ingestion of high concentrations of fluoride has harmful effects on the male reproductive system.     

Maturation of spermatozoa in the epididymis of the Chinese hamster

Chinese hamster spermatozoa gain their ability to move when they descend from the testis to the distal part of the caput epididymis, but it is not until they enter the corpus epididymis that they become capable of fertilizing eggs. The maturation of the spermatozoa proceeds as they further descend the tract and perhaps continues even in the vas deferens. During transit between the distal caput and proximal cauda epididymides, small membrane-limited vesicles (and tubules) appear on the plasma membrane over the acrosomes of the spermatozoa. The number of vesicles appearing on the sperm brane reaches a maximum when the spermatozoa are in the proximal cauda epididymis. It declines sharply in the distal cauda epididymis. Spermatozoa in the vas deferens are free of the vesicles. The origin, chemical nature, and functional role of the vesicles that appear on the sperm surface during epididymal transit must be the subject of further investigation.     

Electron Microscopic (Energy Dispersive X-ray Analysis) Study of Human Male Reproductive Organs and Semen

Recently, technological advancement helped to improve our knowledge on trace elements in human male reproductive organs and its secretion, semen. In this study, employing energy dispersive x-ray analysis facilities on electron microscope, presence of different elements in human male reproductive organs-??testis, epididymis, caput, corpus and cauda, prostate gland, seminal vesicle, Cowper??s gland and vas deferens??seminal plasma and spermatozoa pellet was studied. Several elements were observed. Gold was one among them that was present in seminal plasma and spermatozoa. It was also present in epididymis caput. Authors consider epididymis caput as the source of gold in semen.     

Immunolocalization of AE2 anion exchanger in rat and mouse epididymis.

A low-bicarbonate concentration and an acidic pH in the luminal fluid of the epididymis and vas deferens are important for sperm maturation. These factors help maintain mature sperm in an immotile but viable state during storage in the cauda epididymidis and vas deferens. Two proton extrusion mechanisms, an Na(+)/H(+) exchanger and an H(+)ATPase, have been proposed to be involved in this luminal acidification process. The Na(+)/H(+) exchanger has not yet been localized in situ, but we have reported that H(+)ATPase is expressed on the apical membrane of apical (or narrow) and clear cells of the epididymis. These cells are enriched in carbonic anhydrase II, indicating the involvement of bicarbonate in the acidification process and suggesting that the epididymis is a site of bicarbonate reabsorption. Previous unsuccessful attempts to localize the Cl/HCO(3) anion exchanger AE1 in rat epididymis did not investigate other anion exchanger (AE) isoforms. In this report, we used a recently described SDS antigen unmasking treatment to localize the Cl/HCO(3) exchanger AE2 in rat and mouse epididymis. AE2 is highly expressed in the initial segment, intermediate zone, and caput epididymidis, where it is located on the basolateral membrane of epithelial cells. The cauda epididymidis and vas deferens also contain basolateral AE2, but in lower amounts. The identity of the AE2 protein was further confirmed by the observation that basolateral AE2 expression was unaltered in the epididymis of AE1-knockout mice. Basolateral AE2 may participate in bicarbonate reabsorption and luminal acidification, and/or may be involved in intracellular pH homeostasis of epithelial cells of the male reproductive tract.     

The 12 kD FK 506 binding protein FKBP12 is released in the male reproductive tract and stimulates sperm motility.

BACKGROUND: The 12 kD FK506 binding protein FKBP12 is a cytosolic receptor for the immunosuppressant drugs FK506 and rapamycin. In addition to its critical role in drug-induced T-cell immunosuppression, FKBP12 associates physiologically with ryanodine and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) receptors, regulating their ability to flux calcium. We investigated a role for FKBP12 in male reproductive physiology on the basis of our identification of extremely high levels of [3H]FK506 binding in male reproductive tissues. MATERIALS AND METHODS: [3H]FK506 binding studies were performed to identify tissues enriched with FK506 binding sites. The abundant [3H]FK506 binding sites identified in the male reproductive tract were localized by [3H]FK506 autoradiography. FK506 affinity chromatography was employed to purify FKBP from epididymal fluid. Anti-FKBP12 Western analysis was used to confirm the identity of the purified FKBP. The binding of exogenous FKBP12 to sperm was evaluated by [32P]FKBP12 binding studies and [33P]FKBP12 autoradiography. The effect of recombinant FKBP12 on sperm motility was investigated using a Hamilton Thorne motility analyzer. RESULTS: Male reproductive tissues contained high levels of [3H]FK506 binding. The localization of [3H]FK506 binding sites to the tubular epithelium of the caput epididymis and the lumen of the cauda and vas deferens suggested that FKBP is released in the male reproductive tract. FKBP12 was purified from epididymal plasma by FK506 affinity chromatography. Radiolabeled FKBP12 specifically bound to immature but not mature sperm. In sperm motility studies, FKBP12-treated caput sperm exhibited double the curvilinear velocity of untreated controls. CONCLUSIONS: High levels of FKBP12 are released in the male reproductive tract and specifically associate with maturing sperm. Recombinant FKBP12 enhances the curvilinear velocity of immature sperm, suggesting a role for FKBP12 in motility initiation. The highest concentrations of soluble FKBP12 in the male reproductive tract occur in the lumen of the vas deferens, a site of sperm storage and the conduit for ejaculated sperm. Preservation of mammalian sperm for reproductive technologies may be optimized by supplementing incubation or storage media with FKBP12.     

Flow cytometric analysis of rodent epididymal spermatozoal chromatin condensation and loss of free sulfhydryl groups

Flow cytometric measurements were made on acridine orange (AO) and 7-diethylamino-3-(4'-maleimidylphenyl)-4-methyl-coumarin (CPM)-stained epididymal- and vas deferens-derived spermatozoal nuclei to follow the course of chromatin condensation and oxidation of free sulfhydryl groups, respectively, during passage through mouse and rat posttesticular reproductive tracts. Alterations of mouse and rat spermatozoal chromatin during transition from a testicular elongated spermatids to epididymal caput spermatozoa resulted in a threefold loss of DNA stainability with AO. Passage of spermatozoa from the caput to corpus epididymis was accompanied by an approximate 15% loss of DNA stainability, which was maintained at that level throughout passage into the vas deferens. AO stainability of epididymal spermatozoal nuclei was generally independent of -SH group stainability. CPM stainability of rat spermatozoal nuclei free -SH groups was 83%, 18%, and 11% of caput spermatozoal values for corpus, cauda epididymis, and vas deferens, respectively. Comparable values for mice were 69%, 20%, and 18%. CPM stainability was relatively homogeneous for these mouse and rat reproductive tract regions, except mouse corpus epididymis spermatozoal nuclei stained very heterogeneously. Rat spermatozoa detained by ligature up to 7 days in the caput, corpus, and cauda epididymi had CPM staining values equal to or below those of normal vas spermatozoa, indicating that disulfide (S-S) bonding is intrinsic to the spermatozoa and is independent of the epididymal environment. These data suggest that chromatin condensation and loss of spermatozoal DNA stainability during passage from the testis to the vas deferens are independent of S-S bonding.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Sperm morphological abnormalities appearing in the male rabbit reproductive tract

The role of the excurrent duct system in producing and/or eliminating morphologically abnormal spermatozoa may modify the semen parameters and interfere with sperm fertilizing capacity. To study this process, changes in the morphology of spermatozoa during their transit through the reproductive tract in sexually mature rabbits were investigated. The incidence of head, midpiece and tail abnormalities as well as of multiple defects in a single spermatozoon, and the position of the cytoplasmic droplet along the sperm midpiece were evaluated in samples from the testis, 6 regions of the epididymis and the vas deferens. Spermatozoa were characterized by rapid migration of the cytoplasmic droplet when passing from the proximal to the distal caput of the epididymis, and spermatozoa with no droplet predominated in the distal epididymis and vas deferens. In passing from the testis to the proximal caput of the epididymis, the incidence of spermatozoa with an abnormal midpiece and those with multiple defects decreased significantly. The proportion of spermatozoa with abnormal heads was also lower in the testis, but no statistically significant differences were found, whereas there was no change in the proportion of those with abnormal tails. These results indicate that there must be a mechanism for the disposal of defective spermatozoa. No evidence of spermiophagy by luminal macrophages was observed in the extracts, although a few spermatozoa exhibited signs of degeneration, suggesting, that although intraepithelial phagocytosis has not been clearly demonstrated in the nonexperimental rabbit, sperm cells may undergo a form of autolysis within the lumen of the duct.     

The histochemical localization of prostaglandin synthetase activity in reproductive tract of the male rat.

PG synthetase activity was assessed histochemically in the reproductive tract of male rats. Moderate activity was observed in tails of spermatozoa within the corpus and cauda epididymidis but there was no activity in the caput epididymidis or the seminiferous tubules. The sperm tail activity was maximal for cells within the vas deferens. PG synthetase activity was also observed in individual adipose cells adhering to the testicular capsule, epididymis and vas deferens, and in isolated interstitial cells of the testis and the caput, corpus and cauda epididymidis. Specific cells in the capsules of the testes, epididymis and vas deferens also produced PGs. The activity observed in the interstitial cells of the testis and the caput epididymidis was less than that for the other tissues in terms of the proportion of possible cells. The demonstration of PG synthetase activity paralleled to known loss of arachidonic acid from the phospholipids of the spermatozoa as they pass through the male tract. Endogenous substrate was not limiting in the assay system, even in the testis and caput epididymidis where PG synthesis was not normally observed, indicating that a PG synthesis inhibitor may be present in these two tissues. PG synthetase activity within teased seminiferous tubules was markedly increased by physical trauma. Indomethacin diminished but did not eliminate synthesis.