Morphological and Absorptive Studies on Canal Epithelium of the Various Ducts in Rooster Epididymal Region

Lee, Jai Hong

Korean Journal of Veterinary Research 1974;14(2):159-171.

Jai Hong Lee

Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Agriculture, Jeonnam National University

닭 부고환부(副睾丸部)의 각종(各種) 관상피(管上皮)의 형태(形態) 및 흡수(吸收)에 관한 연구(硏究)

이재홍

전남대학교 농과대학 수의학과

Abstract

Histological and histochemical studies were made on the lining epithelia of the various ducts in epidymis of the Rooster and absorptive function of the canal epithelial cells in the Rooster epididymis were also investigated after administration of India ink. The results obtained were summerized as follows; 1. Epihtelium lining the rate testis was mainaly composed of single later of cuboidal cells, and was partially composed of flattened squamous or low columnar cells. Efferential ductules were characterized by having many villous projections orrfolds which extened into the lumen, and were lined by stereociliated pseudostratified epithelium which consisted of manily ciliated columnar cells, a few scattered clear cells and basal cells. Connecting ductules were lined by ciliated pseudostriatified colummnar epithelium in which ciliated columnar cells, clear cells and basal cells were noted. Epididymal ducts were lined by pseudostratified epidhelium in which columnar and basal cells were noted. 2. PAS-granules, saliva resistant were noted mainly in the epithelial cells of efferential and connecting ductules. 3. Sudan black B stained heavily the granules in the epithelial cells of sufferential and connecting ductules. 4. The granules reactive to acid phosphatase most abundant in the epithelial cells of efferential ductules and were lesser amount in the epithelial cells of connecting ductules where as very few or no granules were seen in the rest of the ducts. 5. Alkaline phosphatase activity was most prominent but discontinuous in the luminal surface of the epithelium of efferential ductules and less marked in the connecting ductless. No enzyme activity was noted in the canal epithelium of epididyml duct. 6. India ink granules were most numerous in the epithlial cells of efferential ductules and were a few in connecting ductules. Very few or no granules of India ink were noted in the other types of the ducts. India ink granules in the epithelium increased gradually as the time after the administration of India ink (one up to twenty-nine hours) has proceeded. From those results it is suggested that epithelial cells of efferential and connecting ductules have active absorptive function, whereas the rest of duct system in the epididymis of the Rooster may be the mere pathway of the seminal fluid without significant modification of its constituents.