Plates (1st Edition)

1-15

testis seminiferous tubule rete ductuli efferentes epididymis vas deferens epithelial cell

Fig. 1

Diagrammatic representation of the testis showing a seminiferous tubule and the rete testis, the ductuli efferentes, the epididymis and vas deferens. The shaded regions indicate areas of the different segments of the epididymis, i.e., the initial segment, caput, corpus, and proximal and distal cauda, where data on the relative quantitative distribution of the major different epithelial cell types were obtained.

 

epithelium efferent duct nonciliated cells ciliated cells

Fig. 2

Light microscope photograph showing the sharp demarcation between the cuboidal epithelial cells of the rete testis (RT) and the columna epithelial cells of the efferent ducts (ED)

 

epithelium efferent duct nonciliated cells ciliated cells

Fig. 3

Portion of the epithelium from the initial zone of an efferent duct at the light microscopic level showing numerous nonciliated cells (NC) and few ciliated cells (C)

 

epithelium efferent duct nonciliated cells ciliated cells

Fig. 4

Portion of the epithelium from the terminal zone of an efferent duct showing nonciliated (NC) and ciliated (C) cells

 

epithelium efferent duct nonciliated cells ciliated cells

Fig. 5

Light microscope photograph showing several tubules of the initial segment of the epididymis

 

epithelium initial segment columnar principal cells round nuclei prominent nucleolus elongated basal cells stained narrow cell

Fig. 6

Portion of the epithelium lining the initial segment of the epididymis illustrating many tall columnar principal cells (P) with pale, round nuclei (n) located at different levels of the cell and showing a prominent nucleolus, a few elongated basal cells (B) at the base of the epithelium, and a deeply stained narrow cell (N). Longitudinal dense bands extend along the length of principal cells (arrowheads)

 

epithelium epididymal duct caput epididymis

Fig. 7

Epithelium lining the epididymal duct of the caput epididymidis showing numerous principal cells (P) and a few clear cells (C)

 

epithelial cells | caput epididymis

Fig. 8

Principal (P) and clear (C) epithelial cells lining the caput epididymidis

 

epididymal duct | corpus epididymidis | principal cell | clear cell

Fig. 9

Epithelium lining the epididymal duct of the corpus epididymidis showing numerous principal (P) cells and a clear (C) cell

 

epithelial cells | corpus epididymidis

Fig. 10

Principal (P) and clear (C) epithelial cells lining the corpus epididymidis.

 

epithelium | epididymal duct | cauda epididymidis

Fig. 11

Epithelium lining the epididymal duct of the cauda epididymidis showing principal (P) and clear (C) cells

 

epithelial cells | cauda epididymidis

Fig. 12

Principal (P) and clear (C) epithelial cells lining the cauda epididymidis

 

cell distribution | initial segment | caput | corpus | cauda epididymis

Fig. 13

Relative cell distribution in the initial segment, caput, corpus, and cauda epididymidis of the adult male rat

 

epithelium | proximal segment | vas deferens | cuboidal principal cells

Fig. 14

Portion of the epithelium (E) lining the proximal segment of the vas deferens showing many cuboidal principal cells and a clear cell (C)

 

epithelium | proximal segment | vas deferens | cuboidal principal cells | flattened basal cells

Fig. 15

Epithelium of the proximal segment of the vas deferens lined by cuboidal principal (P) cells and flattened basal (B) cells

16-30

epithelium distal segment vas deferens

Fig. 16

Portion of the epithelium (E) lining the distal segment of the vas deferens

 

principal epithelial cells distal segment vas deferens nucleus

Fig. 17

Tall columnar principal (P) epithelial cells lining the distal segment of the vas deferens showing a brush border (asterisk) and moderately stained nucleus (n) usually in the midregion of the cell

 

nonciliated cell ductuli efferentes

Fig. 18

A diagrammatic representation of a nonciliated cell from the terminal zone of the ductuli efferentes

 

apical supranuclear regions nonciliated cell efferent ducts

Fig. 19

Apical and supranuclear regions of a nonciliated cell from the initial zone of the efferent ducts

 

nonciliated cell efferent ducts

Fig. 20

Apical and supranuclear regions of a nonciliated cell from the terminal zone of the efferent ducts

 

nonciliated cell tubular coated pits apical plasma membrane cell cytoplasm microvilli

Fig. 21

High-power electron micrograph of the apical region of a nonciliated cell. Tubular coated pits (cp) connected to the apical plasma membrane can be seen extending into the cell cytoplasm from the bases of the microvilli (Mv)

 

apical region nonciliated cell tubular coated pits

Fig. 22

High-power electron micrograph of the apical region of a nonciliated cell. Tubular coated pits (cp) presumed to be still connected to the cell surface are evident

 

apical region apical tubules dilated spherical membranous bodies stained lumen

Fig. 23

High power of the apical region showing numerous apical tubules (T) with a uniform, moderately dense staining content, some of which can be seen to be connected (arrowheads) to large dilated spherical membranous bodies (asterisks), showing an empty, pale stained lumen lined by a fuzzy material

 

apical supranuclear retions nonciliated cell

Fig. 24

A large vacuole, containing a fine flocculent material, referred to as an endosome (E) is seen in the apical region to which is connected an apical tubule (T, arrowhead)

 

apical supranuclear retions nonciliated cell

Fig. 25

Junction between the apical and supranuclear regions of a nonciliated cell of the terminal zone

 

supranuclear region nonciliated cell lysosomes

Fig. 26

Supranuclear region of a nonciliated cell showing several homogeneous dense lysosomes (L)

 

supranuclear region nonciliated cell lysosome lipid

Fig. 27

A membrane-bound body deep in the supranuclear region of a nonciliated cell showing features of a dense lysosome (L) and lipid (LIP) delimited by a common unit membrane

 

nucleus nonciliated cell lysosome

Fig. 28

A membrane-bound body next to the nucleus (N) of a nonciliated cell showing features of a dense lysosome (L) and lipid (LIP)

 

tubular network nonciliated cell anatomosing tubes lateral plasma membrane

Fig. 29

A well-defined tubular network of a nonciliated cell formed of short anastomosing tubes demarcating pores of various sizes (asterisks) is seen to be connected at several sites (small arrowheads) with the lateral plasma membrane (PM)

 

ciliated cell nonciliated cell

Fig. 30

Low-power electron micrograph showing tall columnar ciliated cells (C) and adjacent nonciliated cells (NC)

31-45

apical region ciliated cell basal bodies cilia coated and uncoated pits apical tubules vesicular profiles multivesicular bodies glycogen granules

Fig. 31

High-power electron micrograph of the apical region of a ciliated cell presenting basal bodies (B), cilia (c), a few small coated and uncoated pits (arrowheads), apical tubules (T), numerous subsurface vesicular profiles, pale multivesicular bodies (MVB), glycogen granules (circled), and filaments (f)

 

supranuclear region ciliated cell lysosomes

Fig. 32

High power of the supranuclear region of a ciliated cell containing several membrane-bound dense bodies identified as lysosomes (L)

 

epithelial cell epididymis

Fig. 33

Diagrammatic representation of a principal epithelial cell from the initial segment of the epididymis

 

principal cell epididymis cisternae endoplasmic reticulum vesicles

Fig. 34

Apical region of a principal cell from the initial segment of the epididymis showing large coated and uncoated pits of the cell surface (large arrowheads), numerous cisternae of the sparsely granulated endoplasmic reticulum (ER), several large smooth-surfaced vesicles showing a patchy flocculent material (asterisks) and the occasional small coated and uncoated vesicles (small arrowheads)

 

principal cell epididymis cistarnae endoplasmic reticulum apical plasma membrane

Fig. 35

High-power electron micrograph of the apical region of a principal cell from the initial segment of the epididymis. Numerous cisternae of the sparsely granulated endoplasmic reticulum (ER) containing a unifom filamentous material are evident, some of which can be seen in close proximity to the apical plasma membrane (arrows)

 

principal cell epididymis

Fig. 36

Supranuclear region of a principal cell of the initial segment of the epididymis

 

principal cell Golgi apparatus saccules endoplasmic reticulum Golgi

Figs. 37-38

 

Supranuclear region of a principal cell of the initial segment showing the Golgi apparatus formed of several stacks of saccules (S) seen in close association with the sparsely granulated endoplasmic reticulum (stars)

High power of a Golgi stack of saccules (S)

 

principal cell

Fig. 39

Basal region of a principal cell of the initial segment

 

principal cell caput epididymis

Fig. 40

Diagrammatic representation of a principal cell of the caput epididymis

 

principal cell caput epididymis

Fig. 41

High power of the apical region of a principal cell of the caput epididymis

 

corpus epididymis

Fig. 42

High power of the apical region of a principal cell of the corpus epididymis

 

cauda epididymis

Fig. 43

Apical region of a principal cell of the cauda epididymis

 

principal cell cauda epididymis Golgi apparatus

Fig. 44

Supranuclear region of a principal cell of the cauda epididymis showing an elaborate Golgi apparatus

 

principal cell caput epididymis

Fig. 45

Supranuclear region of a principal cell of the caput epididymis

46-61

principal cell caput epididymis

Fig. 46

Basal region of a principal cell of the caput epididymis

 

apical and supranuclear regions principal cell corpus epididymis

Fig. 47

Apical and supranuclear regions of a principal cell of the corpus epididymis

 

supranuclear region principal cell corpus epididymis

Fig. 48

Supranuclear region of a principal cell of the corpus epididymis

 

basal region principal cell corpus epididymis lipid droplets (LIP)

Fig. 49

Basal region of a principal cell of the corpus epididymis demonstrating an abundance of lipid droplets (LIP)

 

principal cell cauda epididymis

Fig. 50

Principal cell of the cauda epididymis

 

principal cell cauda epididymis basement membrane interdigitations basal cell

Fig. 51

A principal cell of the cauda epididymis showing a slender foot-like process contacting the basement membrane (arrow) and interdigitations (arrowhead) with a basal cell (B)

 

principal cell distal segment vas deferens

Fig. 52

A principal cell of the distal segment of the vas deferens

 

supranuclear region principal cell

Fig. 53

High power of the supranuclear region of a principal cell seen in Fig. 52

 

basal region principal cell

Fig. 54

High power of the basal region of a principal cell seen in Fig. 52

 

apical region principal cell vas deferens coated pits vesicles

Fig. 55

Apical region of a principal cell of the vas deferens showing coated pits (Cp), large coated vesicles (Cv), smooth-surfaced vesicles (asterisks), and small coated (arrows), and uncoated (arrowhead) vesicles

 

supranuclear region principal cell vas deferens

Fig. 56

The supranuclear region of a principal cell of the vas deferens

 

Golgi stack of saccules cis face vesicles

Fig. 57

High power of a Golgi stack of saccules (S) showing on its cis face (C) interruptions of the saccules forming wells (arrows) in which are located small vesicles

 

pencil cell epithelial lining vas deferens

Fig. 58

A montage of a pencil cell within the epithelial lining of the vas deferens

 

apical supranuclear region narrow cell initial segment epididymis c-shaped vesicles glycogen granules multivesicular body

Figs. 59-61

Apical and supranuclear regions of a narrow cell of the initial segment of the epididymis

High power of the apical region of a narrow cell showing numerous small C-shaped vesicles often appearing as double-walled structures (arrowheads) and glycogen granules (circles)

High power of the apical region of a narrow cell containing a pale multivesicular body (asterisk) and numerous small C-shaped vesicles (arrowheads)

62-75

cauda epididymidis

Fig. 62

Montage of a clear cell of the cauda epididymis

 

apical region clear cell cauda epididymis supranuclear region

Figs. 63-65

 

High power of the apical region of a clear cell of the cauda epididymis showing a large coated pit (Cp) and large coated vesicle (CV), numerous small uncoated vesicles (v), and a large vacuole (V)

High power of the apical region of a clear cell of the cauda epididymis

Supranuclear region of a clear cell of the cauda epididymis

 

basal cell caput epididymis elongated nucleus cytoplasm Golgi apparatus

Fig. 66

A basal cell of the caput epididymis, showing an elongated nucleus (N) enclosed by a small amount of cytoplasm containing a Golgi apparatus (G)

 

basal cell cauda epididymis

Fig. 67

A basal cell of the cauda epididymis

 

halo cell lamina propria epididymis myoid cell

Fig. 68

A halo cell in the lamina propria of the epididymis enclosed by the arms of a myoid cell (MY)

 

halo cell basal region epididymal epithelium

Fig. 69

A halo cell in the basal region of the epididymal epithelium

 

organic solutes lumen proximal caput distal caput epididymis cauda micropuncture microperfusion duct

Fig. 70

Appearance of different organic solutes in the lumen of the rat and hamster (*) proximal caput, distal caput (a) epididymis (▲), or cauda (■) epididymidis after systemic infusion of the radioactive compound, followed by direct micropuncture or microperfusion of the duct

 

endocytosis transcytosis principal cells epididymis vas deferens

Fig. 71

Schematic representation of the probable steps in endocytosis, transcytosis, and secretion in principal cells of the epididymis and vas deferens

 

testosterone dihydrotestosterone 5α-androstan-3α,17β-ol enzymatic interconversion epididymis

Fig. 72

Structure of testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, and 5α-androstan-3α,17β-ol and their enzymatic interconversion in the rat epididymis

 

Glutathione S-transferase epididymis-vas deferens

Fig. 73

Glutathione S-transferase activity in isoelectric focused peaks of sections of the epididymis-vas deferens

 

sodium potassium chloride phosphate luminal fluid seminiferous tubules rete testis caput corpus cauda epididymis

Fig. 74

Concentration (mM) of sodium, potassium, chloride, and phosphate in the luminal fluid of rat seminiferous tubules (SNT), rete testis, head (caput), body (corpus) and tail (cauda) of the epididymis

 

densitometric pattern luminal proteins rete testis epididymis SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis

Fig. 75

Densitometric pattern of luminal proteins from the rete testis and epididymis of rams separated by one dimensional SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis

76-90

Fig. 76

Number of condensed sperm heads in the rat testis (striped), caput ( ), and cauda (dots) epididymidis as a function of age

 

Figs. 77-78

 

Cross-section through the cytoplasmic droplet (CD) of a sperm located in the lumen of the caput epididymidis

The cytoplasmic droplet (CD) of a sperm located in the lumen of the corpus epididymidis. In this case the droplet appears to be in the process of being shed from the flagellum (F)

 

Fig. 79

Lumen (Lu) of the cauda epididymidis

 

Fig. 80

A spermatozoon (S) present in the lumen (Lu) of the cauda epididymidis

 

Fig. 81

A residual body (RB) located in the lumen (Lu) of the corpus epididymidis, identified by the presence of many mitochondria (m), large vacuoles (V ), and clusters of ribosomes (arrowhead)

 

Fig. 82

Schematic representation showing the position of the cytoplasmic droplet of spermatozoa in the testis and various segments of the epididymis and its ultimate fate

 

Fig. 83

Transit time in days for spermatozoa to traverse the caput (shaded), corpus (clear) and cauda (striped) epididymidis

 

Fig. 84

Approximate site within the epididymis where spermatozoa acquire their fertilizing ability

 

Fig. 85

Effect of increasing doses of testosterone (●), dihydrotestosterone (X), 5α-androstan-3α, 17β-diol (Δ), and 5α-androstan-3β, 17β-diol (o), injected daily, on the maintenance of the fertilizing ability of spermatozoa in the ligated hamster cauda epididymidis 1 week after castration

 

Fig. 86

Subcellular localization of 5α-reductase activity during development in the caput-corpus and cauda epididymidis

 

Fig. 87

Effects of various lipids (A) and phosphatidylcholines with defined acyl structure (B) on the specific activity of rat epididymal 5α-reductase

 

Fig. 88

Grain number over principal cell nuclei of mouse epididymis after injection of tritiated dihydrotestosterone (DHT) or tritiated estradiol (E2)

 

Fig. 89

Fertilizing ability of spermatozoa from the distal cauda epididymidis of the rabbit as a function of time after either castration or hypophysectomy (HYPOX)

 

Fig. 90

Formation of 5α-reduced metabolites of testosterone by isolated rat caput epididymal principal cells incubated for 15 hr in serum-free medium at various temperatures ranging from 25 to 40ºC

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