Effects of androgen deprivation in the goat epididymis.

With the deprivation of both circulating androgen (CA) and luminal androgen (LA; orchiectomized goats), the epithelial height (EH) in regions I-IV of the epididymis was reduced to 28, 67, 58 and 56% of that of controls, respectively, but it was increased to 109% of that of controls in region V. Similarly, the volume density of epithelium (VDE) in regions I-V was reduced to 33, 49, 45, 41 and 70% of that of controls, respectively. Conversely, in the absence of LA only (extratesticular-rete-ligated goats), while both EH and VDE were reduced to almost 50% of those of controls in region I, they remained similar to those of controls in other regions. The morphological changes in the epithelium such as cytoplasmic regression, loss of stereocilia and disorderly arrangement of epithelial cells were maximal in region I, moderate in regions II-IV and minimal in region V. Testosterone treatment appreciably reduced the degenerative changes caused by orchiectomy in all regions except region I where the restorations were marginal at best. Hence, the results suggest a differential epididymal response to androgen deprivation. Whereas the LA and/or other rete fluid components seem essential for maintaining the epithelial structure of region I, the CA alone can maintain, at least partially, the epithelial structure of regions II-IV and almost completely that of region V.