Phagocytosis of spermatozoa and latex beads by epithelial cells of the ampulla vasis deferentis of the rabbit: a combined SEM and TEM study.

The fine structure in the ampullary region of the vas deferens of the rabbit was observed by scanning and transmission electron microscopy, with emphasis on the occurrence of epithelial spermiophagy. The epithelial cells were cuboidal or low columnar and contained moderately developed organelles. These cells, like luminal macrophages, were found to be not only involved in spermiophagy but also capable of actively taking up latex beads administrated intraluminally. Taking into consideration the previous findings in some other species, the epithelial spermiophagy seems to be a common event in the vas deferens of mammals.