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Query: UNIPROT:P56851 (epididymal)
 11,273 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

In the guinea pig, the narrow part of the epididymis that traverses the upper pole of the testis and passes downward over the entire length of the gonad is composed exclusively of efferent ductules and the initial segment (zone I) of the epididymal duct. At the beginning of zone II, the narrow contour of zone I expands into a large globular region which lies adjacent to the caudal pole of the testis. The globular region of the guinea pig epididymis is commonly referred to as the cauda epididymidis but in the present study, examination with the light microscope reveals that it is composed of five histologically distinct zones (zones III through VII). A detailed histological analysis of the characteristics of the epithelium in the seven zones of the guinea pig epididymis and in the efferent ductules and ductus deferens was udertaken to obtain a better understanding of structure-function relationships in the epididymis of the guinea pig. It was found that each of the zones could be readily distinguished on the basis of its histological features and primarily on the basis of the appearance of the principal cells.
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PMID:The structure of the epididymis, efferent ductules and ductus deferens of the guinea pig: a light microscope study. 63 18

The region within the epididymis where spontaneous sperm motility first appeared and the extent of later motility within that organ, as shown by microscopic observation of undiluted samples, varied with the species. In the rat, mouse, and hamster, little sperm motility was present. In other species, spontaneously motile sperm were obtained from the caput (rabbit) and corpus (bull and man) regions of the epididymis. Samples from the cauda region of the epididymis were found to contain many motile sperm in the rabbit, bull, and especially man, where most of the sperm were intensely motile. There was a correlation between the amount of free calcium surrounding the sperm within the cauda epididymidis of a given species and the level of sperm motility therein. An inverse relationship was also found between the free calcium concentration in the cauda epididymal plasma of a species and the later inducibility of motility in diluted sperm from that species by calcium ion.
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PMID:Sperm motility within the mammalian epididymis: species variation and correlation with free calcium levels in epididymal plasma. 65 83

The zinc and copper content in the different epididymal segments and vas deferens of castrated rats were investigated with the help of atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The vas deferens showed maximum zinc content as compared to that of different parts of epididymis in all groups whether castrated unilaterally, bilaterally or in the intact control. Zinc content was reduced in the epididymis and vas deferens ipsilateral to the castrated side as compared to that of contralateral control and intake animals. Lowest zinc content was observed in the epididymis and vas deferens of bilaterally castrated animals from that of other groups. Absence of sperms was observed in all segments of epididymis and vas in bilaterally castrated animals and from the unilaterally castrated side. Copper content was unaltered in all epididymal segments and vas deferens. There appears to be a correlation between the absence of sperms in the male genital tract and the decrease in zinc content.
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PMID:Zinc and copper content in rat epididymis and vas deferens. 66 43

White adipose tissue was obtained from the mesentery, epididymis, omentum and subcutis of rats which were fed, fasted or fasted and then refed. Tissue samples were prepared using the glyoxylic acid method to detect adrenergic nerves by fluorescence histochemistry. Other tissue samples were fixed with an aldehyde solution containing sodium molybdate which is specific for catecholamine granules in nerve terminals. Thin and serial thick sections (0.25-0.5 micron) were viewed with a conventional electron microscope and with the high voltage electron microscope. With fluorescence microscopy it was found that most of the blood vessels except veins and venules were richly innervated. The most extensive branching of nerves down to the capillary level was found in the mesentery and epididymal fat of fasted-refed rats. Relatively few adipocytes appeared to be innervated. With electron microscopy, nerve terminals were found distributed with most blood vessels including capillaries, and with some adipocytes. Only 2-3% of all dipocytes were innervated by adrenergic nerves. It is suggested that in the adipose tissue sites studied the major adrenergic innervation is mainly for the supply of blood vessels.
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PMID:Morphological studies on the adrenergic innervation of white adipose tissue. 67 91

After i.m. injection of [3H]butyrobetaine into intact and castrated rats, the specific activity of plasma carnitine remained nearly constant over 24--96 h and epididymal uptake of carnitine was constant per unit time up to 72 h. The uptake ratio of intact to castrated rats was high at 48, 72 and 96 h after injection. Administration of estradiol valerate over 20 days reduced carnitine uptake in epididymis. This reduction was dose-dependent when estrogen was administered i.m. at 0.33--10 microgram/day levels. A maximum reduction of 90% was obtained with the 10 microgram dose. A dose increase from 33 to 100 microgram/day caused no further reduction. Norspiroxenone (2--10 mg/day) and SK 7670 (1.5 and 7.5 mg/day) were less effective than estradiol valerate (10 microgram/day) in suppressing carnitine uptake in epididymis. Epididymal carnitine uptake in estradiol valerate treated rats (33 microgram/day for 20 days) increased in a time- and dose-dependent manner under testosterone propionate treatment (50, 250, 1250 microgram/day). Carnitine uptake increased to 80% of the nonsuppressed levels when testosterone propionate was adminsitered over a 6-day period at 1250 microgram/day. Dihydrotestosterone increased epididymal carnitine uptake to the same extent as testosterone propionate. delta4-androstene-3,17-dione and 5alpha-androstane-3alpha,17beta-diol (50 microgram/day) were less effective, stimulating uptake to only 15% and 40% respectively of the testosterone propionate (250 microgram/day) stimulated levels. Changes in epididymal carnitine uptake evoked by various experimental procedures were closely paralleled by weight changes in the ventral prostate. This response resemblance indicates a similarity between the androgen sensitivity of the prostate gland and that of the carnitine uptake system in epididymis. The dose-dependent effect of estrogen on the accumulation of epididymal carnitine, together with the marked responses induced in this system by manipulation of its androgen status, support a possible use for the system as an assay for androgen or antiandrogen potency in vivo.
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PMID:Accumulation of carnitine in rat epididymis after injection of [3H]butyrobetaine in vivo: quantitative aspects, and the effects of androgens and antiandrogens. 68 Mar 41

Spermatozoa do not achieve full maturation and fertilizing capacity until passage through the epididymis. During this time they also gain motility, although spermatozoa do not move until after ejaculation. The organic fraction of human seminal plasma contains phosphate esters, particularly glycerylphosphorylcholine (GPC), phosphorylcholine (PCh), and inorganic phosphate (Pi). GPC is found in relatively high concentrations in the semen of many male animals, including man. GPC is synthesized by the epithelial cells of the epididymis, apparently under androgenic control. Consequently, it has been suggested that GPC might be a useful indicator of epididymal function. We have measured GPC, Pi, and PCh in fresh and frozen semen samples, using phosphorus nuclear magnetic resonance (31P NMR). All samples were assayed for phosphate esters. It was found that PCh was totally hydrolized to Pi. The average ratio of GPC to total phosphate (TP = GPC + Pi) remained constant at a value of about 0.1 for sperm counts over 20 million/ml. The ratio for azoospermic specimens was 0.02 or less; the same results were obtained from vasectomy specimens. This finding indicates that most of the GPC comes from the epididymis. There was a significant correlation between motility, progression, and the GPC ratio. Poor motility and progression in the specimens were accompanied by low GPC ratios regardless of the sperm counts.
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PMID:The role of phosphate esters in male fertility. 71 Jun 5

Silastic-PVP-PGF2alpha tubes significantly reduced the sperm population in the epididymis and vas-deferens of male rats 14 days after their insertion into the scrotal sacs. A reduction in testis and epididymal weights was also evident. The reduction of sperm population was accompanied by a normal sexual drive and circulating testosterone level and partial sterility. The reduction in sperm population and induction of partial sterility was detected at least 7 days after the total release of prostaglandin F2alpha from the Silastic-PVP tubes. The results suggest that the changes in the reproductive parameters might be a consequence of endocrinological and functional disturbances induced by PGF2alpha and that PGs can be used to induce temporary sterility in the male.
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PMID:Effects of prostaglandin-F2alpha on some reproductive parameters of fertile male rats. 71 51

A new, direct anastomosis of the epididymal tubule to the mucosa of the vas deferens is described as performed on 14 men with epididymal obstruction. In this method, about 1 cm of the epididymis is dissected and cut transversely, as low as possible above the obstruction, if it can be visualized nder the x10 or x16 operating microscope. This cut will expose 3-10 epididymal tubules. The one bearing the sperm fluid can be ascertained by examining smears. If no sperm are present, another section .5 cm higher is examined until sperm gush out, although it is important to cut as low as possible in the epididymis to insure motile sperm. The vas is mobilized enough to reach the epididymis without tension. Dissection of both vessels can be done with x2.5 ocular loupes. Anastomosis, under operating microscope, must be performed from the posterior aspect first, using 9-0 or 10-0 nylon, then carefully suturing from outside to inside the epididymal tubule and from inside to outside the vas mucosa, so that the two lumens approximate perfectly. The outer muscularis of the vas is then sutured to the epididymal tunic with 10 to 12 9-0 nylon-interrupted sutures. The man may be discharged in 1-2 days, advised to rest for 1 week. Monthly sperm counts need be repeated until normal motile sperm appear. In this preliminary series of 14 men, 11 had normal motile sperm counts. 1 patient did not have motile sperm: his anastomosis was in the head of the epididymis. The 2 with low counts had not shown a reliable flow of sperm fluid from the anastomosed tubule.
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PMID:Microscopic vasoepididymostomy: specific microanastomosis to the epididymal tubule. 72 Jun 45

Cellulose acetate zymograms of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and sorbitol dehydrogenase (SDH) extracted from male reproductive tissues of inbred mice were examined. ADH isozymes were differentially distributed in these tissues of C3H/He mice; ADH-B2 was observed in all tissues and testis cellular preparations examined; ADH-C2 was localized predominantly in the epididymis but was also present in the seminal vesicles, coagulating gland, and prostate gland. SDH was broadly distributed in these tissues but exhibited highest activities in the seminal vesicles, coagulating glands, and germinal cells of mature testes. Genetic variants for ADH-C2 and SDH provided evidence for (1) the identity of a second form of SDH in epididymis with ADH-C2; (2) the genetic identity of kidney, seminal vesicle, and testis SDH; and (3) the gentic identity of stomach and epididymal ADH-C2. Developmental changes in testis and epididymal ADH isozymes during maturation were examined. ADH-C2 appeared in the mature epididymis whereas ADH-B2 exhibited no major changes in activity in testis and epididymis during development.
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PMID:Genetic variation, cellular distribution and ontogeny of sorbitol dehydrogenase and alcohol dehydrogenase isozymes in male reproductive tissues of the mouse. 72 74

The testicular and epididymal sperm reserves of 32 adult crossbred European boars (mean age 17.4 months, range 15--21 months) raised and maintained in Ibadan, Nigeria were 43.77 x 10(9) and 207.20 x 10(9) cells respectively, and were correlated (P less than 0.01) with age and organ weight. The distribution of spermatozoa in the epididymis was 16, 6 and 78% in the caput, corpus and cauda epididymidis respectively. The testicular and epididymal sperm reserves were correlated (P less than 0.05), suggesting that sperm production and storage are associated. All the values studied were comparable with those reported for boars kept in temperate climates.
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PMID:Testicular and epididymal sperm reserves of crossbred European boars raised and maintained in the humid tropics. 72 73


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