Structural differentiation of the epithelial cells of the testicular excurrent duct system of rats during postnatal...

The light and electron microscopic appearance of the various epithelial cells lining the efferent ducts and different regions of the epididymis were examined in rats on postnatal days 21, 39, 49, 56, and 90 to determine the role of androgens and/or spermatozoa, as well as other possible factors, on the structural differentiation of these cells. Five conclusions may be drawn from the observations made. First, on day 21 epithelial cells of all regions are structurally undifferentiated. Second, it was not until day 49 that nonciliated cells of the efferent ducts resembled those of adult animals, suggesting that more than one factor, such as androgens, testicular products, and/or spermatozoa, is needed for their full structural differentiation. Third, principal cells of the epididymis become structurally differentiated by day 39, i.e., these cells contained an elaborate Golgi apparatus, endoplasmic reticulum cisternae, and numerous 200-400 nm electron lucent secretory vesicles, as well as a full complement of endocytic organelles; this occurred in spite of the absence of spermatozoa in the epididymal lumen. The differentiation of these epididymal cells may be under the influence of androgens, which are known to be high at this time, but may also be due to specific secretions from Sertoli cells secreted directly into the efferent ducts. Fourth, clear cells of the cauda epididymidis are fully differentiated by day 39. The presence of degenerating germ cells in the lumen of the cauda epididymidis and various cellular debris, as well as high androgen levels, may be factors causing the differentiation of the cells of this region. Finally, clear cells of the corpus and cauda epididymidis only become fully differentiated by day 49, at a time when spermatozoa appear in the lumen, despite high levels of androgens at day 39; this observation indicates that the presence of spermatozoa in the lumen may be a necessary factor in causing their differentiation. Overall, these results suggest that a combination of different factors are necessary for the structural differentiation of the various epithelial cell types of the different regions of the epididymis.