Epididymal basal cells in rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta): ultrastructural changes after castration and androgen replacement therapy.

The ultrastructure of epididymal basal cells in adult castrated and castrate-androgen supplemented rhesus monkey was studied. Due to reduction in the height of the epithelium, three months after castration their number appeared to have increased. In the initial segment dark basal cells occupied more area in the epithelium and their cytoplasm showed the presence of large vacuoles. Cells that resembled dark basal cell were found at all heights of the epithelium. In all the segments, dark basal cells developed pseudopod-like structures. Pale basal cell cytoplasm was filled with lipofuscin pigment granules. Androgen replacement therapy for 30 days prior to autopsy at 90 days did not bring about any significant changes in the ultrastructure of both the types of basal cell. However, the size of the dark basal cell appeared to have decreased. The possible role of basal cells in the disposal of products accumulated in the principal cells under normal and altered endocrine conditions in discussed.