The expression patterns of aquaporin 9, vacuolar H-ATPase, and cytokeratin 5 in the epididymis of the common vampire bat.

Desmodus rotundus is a vampire bat species that inhabits Latin America. Some basic aspects of this species' biology are still unknown, as the histophysiological characteristics of the male reproductive tract. Our study has focused on its epididymis, which is an important organ for performing a variety of functions, especially the sperm maturation and storage. The aim of this study was to identify principal, narrow, clear, and basal cells using cell-specific markers such as aquaporin 9 (AQP9), vacuolar H-ATPase (V-ATPase), and cytokeratin 5 (KRT5). Principal cells were labeled by AQP9 from initial segment to cauda region in their stereocilia. They were shown with a columnar shape, whereas V-ATPase-rich cells were identified with a goblet-shaped body along the entire epididymis, including the initial segment, which were named as clear cells. Pencil-shaped V-ATPase-rich cells (narrow cells) were not detected in the initial segment of the bat epididymis, unlike in the rodent. Basal cells were labeled by KRT5 and were located at the basal portion of the epithelium forming a dense network. However, no basal cells with a luminal-reaching body extension were observed in the bat epididymis. In summary, epithelial cells were identified by their specific markers in the vampire bat epididymis. Principal and basal cells were labeled by AQP9 and KRT5, respectively. Narrow cells were not observed in the vampire bat epididymis, whereas clear cells were identified by V-ATPase labeling along the entire duct in a goblet-shaped body. In addition, no luminal-reaching basal cells were observed in the vampire bat epididymis.