ABSTRACT
O ducto epididimário (DE) de codorna doméstica mostrou, ao longo do ano, variabilidade pequena, porém muito expressiva no outono, o qual corresponde à fase quiescente do ciclo testicular anual. A morfologia do DE na primavera foi, em termos, similar à verificada no verão e inverno. Nestas fases notaram-se aumento significante do calibre tubular do DE; estocagem intraluminal de espermatozóides e ocorrência de mitocôndrias, lamelas do RE, vesículas variáveis quanto à forma, dimensões e conteúdos e presença de alguns lisossomos localizados, principalmente, no citoplasma apical das células principais (P), no epitélio epididimário. Estas características ultra-estruturais das células P parecem ser indicativas da ocorrência de processos ativos de endocitose e de secreção micromerócrina. A quiescência outonal foi caracterizada pelo aspecto anfractuoso do DE; ausência de espermatozóides e pouco material intraluminal, observados à microscopia de luz. Características ultra-estruturais degenerativas foram verificadas ao nível do citoplasma supranuclear das células P epididimárias no outono.
Small but expressive variability was noted on the epididymidis duct (ED) of domestic quail along the year, with more evidence in autumn of the quiescent phase of the annual testis cycle in this species. Spring features of ED had a general similar pattern in summer and winter. They were characterized by enlargement of epididymis tubule, storage of spermatozoa into the luminal compartment and presence of mitochondria, ER lamellae, several variable vesicles, and lysosomes localized mainly on the apical cytoplasm of principal cells (P) of the epididymal epithelium. These P cells features indicated a process of endocytosis and perhaps protein secretion. Autumn quiescence was marked by a convolute pattern of the epididymis tubule, lacking of spermatozoa and small amount of exfoliate heterogeneous material inside the luminal compartment at light microscopy. Ultrastructural degenerative features mainly apical cytoplasmic debris were seen in the supranuclear cytoplasm of lining P cells.
Subject(s)
Animals , Leydig Cells/ultrastructure , Microscopy, Polarization/methods , Quail , Rete Testis/anatomy & histologyABSTRACT
Objective To explore the distribution and localization of LPGDS (Lipocalin-type prostaglandin D synthase) in rat testis and epididymidis and gain further insight into LPGDS potential function in male reproduction. Methods The expression of LPGDS in rat testis and epididymidis was assessed using RT-PCR and immunobloting. Using immunohistochemistry to explore the distribution of LPGDS in rat testis and epididymidis. Results None of the LPGDS studied was present in the testis of 2 month old SD rat. LPGDS was strikingly expressed in the caput epididymidis, while moderate to weak expressing was observed in the corpus and cauda epididymidis. The result of immunohistochemistry displayed that LPGDS was mainly localized within the cytoplasm and the cilia of the epithelial cells in rat epididymidis. Conclusion LPGDS was mainly distributed in epididymidis and localized with in the cytoplasm and the cilia of the epithelial cells. There was no LPGDS expressed in the testis of 2 month old SD rat, but it was strikingly expressed in the epididymidis, and the dose of expression was different, which suggested that LPGDS may play some kind of role during the process of the spermatozoa maturation.