Stoffel M H, Friess A E
Department of Veterinary Anatomy, University of Berne Veterinary School, Switzerland.
Microsc Res Tech. 1994 Dec 15;29(6):411-31. doi: 10.1002/jemt.1070290603.
The aim of the present study was to provide a comprehensive morphological analysis of the porcine epididymis in view of the specific functions being performed in different regions of this organ. Blood supply and microvasculature of efferent ductules and epididymal duct were investigated by means of corrosion casts which were analysed macroscopically and by scanning electron microscopy. This revealed blood supply to the testis and epididymis to be closely related. The capillary pattern was typical for the efferent ductules, the caput, corpus, and distal cauda epididymidis, respectively. Corrosion casts were also used to visualize the course of the efferent ductules themselves. Tissue samples from different regions of the efferent ductules and epididymal duct were examined by light microscopy and both scanning and transmission electron microscopy, with special attention being payed to transitional areas. Morphological criteria allowed the distinction of three segments within the efferent ductules and of the initial segment, proximal caput, distal caput, corpus, proximal cauda, and distal cauda regions of the epididymal duct. Components of the endocytic apparatus of efferent ductule principal cells were identified by ferritin uptake. Ultrastructural evidence of absorption in the epididymal duct was particularly prominent in proximal and distal caput. Extensive cisternae of rough endoplasmic reticulum and a well-developed Golgi apparatus were indicative of active protein synthesis and secretion especially in the distal caput and corpus regions. However, assignment of various organelles in principal cells of the epididymal duct to either absorptive or secretory pathways still remains tentative.
本研究的目的是鉴于猪附睾不同区域执行的特定功能，对其进行全面的形态学分析。通过腐蚀铸型研究输出小管和附睾管的血液供应及微血管系统，对腐蚀铸型进行宏观分析和扫描电子显微镜观察。结果显示，睾丸和附睾的血液供应密切相关。输出小管、附睾头、体和附睾尾远端的毛细血管模式各有特点。腐蚀铸型还用于观察输出小管本身的走行。对输出小管和附睾管不同区域的组织样本进行光学显微镜、扫描电子显微镜和透射电子显微镜检查，特别关注过渡区域。形态学标准可区分输出小管内的三个节段以及附睾管的起始段、近端附睾头、远端附睾头、体、近端附睾尾和远端附睾尾区域。通过铁蛋白摄取鉴定输出小管主细胞内吞装置的成分。附睾管吸收的超微结构证据在近端和远端附睾头尤为突出。大量的粗面内质网池和发达的高尔基体表明特别是在远端附睾头和体区域存在活跃的蛋白质合成和分泌。然而，附睾管主细胞中各种细胞器在吸收或分泌途径中的归属仍不确定。
