The effects of testosterone, 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone, 3alpha-androstanediol, and 3beta-androstanediol on epithelial fine structure of the rabbit epididymis in organ culture.

The fine structure of the corpus epididymidis of the rabbit has been studied following organ culture. Various modifications of tissue preparation and culture conditions were examined to obtain good maintenance of cellular integrity as well as to preserve sperm fertilizing ability. After 5 to 7 days in culture in the absence of hormonal support, the epididymal epithelium showed signs indicative of cellular regression. Such changes included shrinkage of the cells, loss of the border of stereocilia, decrease in smooth endoplasmic reticulum, and an increase in autophagic vacuoles. The presence of androgens in culture media prevented cellular regression to varying degrees, depending on the hormone utilized. With regard to maintenance of cellular integrity, potency of the androgens tested was as follows: 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone greater than or equal to 3alpha-androstanediol greater than testosterone greater than 3beta-androstanediol. Addition of insulin to dihydrotestosterone-containing cultures resulted in no improvement in maintenance. Phagocytosis of spermatozoa by epithelial cells was observed in cultured tubules and the degree of spermiophagy was inversely proportional to successful maintenance of fine structural characteristics of epithelial cells. The morphological findings reported here correlate well with the fertilizing ability of spermatozoa from cultured epididymis as reported in an accompanying communication.