[3H]3-O-methyl-D-glucose transport from blood into the lumina of the seminiferous and epididymal tubules in intact and vasectomized hamsters.

The investigation demonstrated a restriction of [3H]3-O-methyl-D-glucose ([3H]3-OMG) net transport into seminiferous tubule fluid. Net transport of [3H]3-OMG into the cauda epididymidal tubule was even more limited. By 4 months after vasectomy, there was no statistical difference in the net transport of the isotope into the seminiferous tubule fluid, but there was a significant increase in net transport into cauda epididymidal fluid. These results demonstrate that the blood-epididymal barrier can be even more restrictive to molecular transport than the blood-testis barrier and that vasectomy can have subtle effects on characteristics of molecular transport in the cauda epididymidis.