Effect of deprival of rete testis fluid on the morphology of efferent ductules.

One week after unilateral cannulation of the rete testis and ligation of the efferent ductules, samples of the proximal, middle and distal segments of the efferent ductules of 6 goats were examined by light and electron microscopy and compared with normal contralateral efferent ductules. The pseudostratified columnar epithelium consisted of ciliated, nonciliated and basal cells. The number of clear vacuoles decreased markedly in the proximal and middle segments following deprivation of androgen-rich rete testis fluid. The epithelium of the distal segment of the cannulated side had few large clear vacuoles compared to the normal side, which had a high concentration of large vacuoles. Since the large vacuoles decreased in all three segments following ligation, they were thought to be absorptive. Some cells of the distal segment of the cannulated side contained a single, huge, basal vacuole. Electron-dense, membrane-bound granules were abundant in the proximal segment of normal ductules. After cannulation these granules were still present. It was concluded that the electron-dense granules were insensitive to rete testis fluid and that they did not arise from the fluid leaving the rete testis.