Response of epididymal duct to the temporary depletion of spermatozoa induced by testicular irradiation in mice
The mouse epididymal duct can be histologically divided into five segments (I-V), and the principal cells in segment II appear to secrete periodic acid-Schiff (PAS)-positive material into the lumen. In this study, male dd-mice received one, two, or four 800-R doses of radiation beginning at age 50 days. Mice receiving multiple doses were irradiated at 1-week intervals. After irradiation, marked depletion of spermatozoa, or aspermia, occurred in the epididymal duct for 2 to 16 weeks after a latency period of 3 to 4 weeks according to the times of irradiations. During oligospermia or aspermia, PAS-positive inclusions appeared in the principal cells in segment IV. The inclusions occupied a supranuclear position and appeared as round granules and globules measuring 2-15 micron in diameter, and increased in number, size, and staining intensity with time. They disappeared after reappearance of spermatozoa. The findings suggest that PAS-positive material may bind to spermatozoa and, if not bound, is reabsorbed by the principal cells in segment IV and deposited as intracellular inclusions, and the principal cells in segment IV are capable of digesting the accumulated PAS-positive material.
- Research Organization:
- Hokkaido Univ. School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
- OSTI ID:
- 5010157
- Journal Information:
- Anat. Rec.; (United States), Vol. 207:1
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
SPERMATOGENESIS
INHIBITION
TESTES
BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
ANIMAL CELLS
EXTERNAL IRRADIATION
MICE
ANIMALS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BODY
GAMETOGENESIS
GONADS
IRRADIATION
MALE GENITALS
MAMMALS
ORGANS
RADIATION EFFECTS
RODENTS
VERTEBRATES
560152* - Radiation Effects on Animals- Animals