Lectin staining of rat testis and epididymis: effect of cyproterone acetate and testosterone

Control and castrated (C) adult rats were treated with cyproterone acetate (CA), testosterone (T) or their combination (CA + T) for 15 days and the affinity of the testicular and epididymal tissue for seven rhodamine-conjugated lectins was analysed in fluorescence microscopy. In the testis CA caused the appearance of degenerating cells in the basal part of the seminiferous epithelium. These cells (spermatogonia, early spermatocytes) appear to be the most vulnerable germinal cells to anti-androgen treatment and this effect could be prevented by simultaneous administration of T. Castration caused a marked reduction in lectin staining of principal and light cells of distal caput (Dcp) and distal cauda (Dcd) epididymidis accompanied by the disappearance of the intratubular sperm mass. In castrated animals CA caused a moderate and T as well as CA + T a marked increase in the stainability of these cells and the appearance of homogeneous secretory material in the tubules. This material gave moderate or strong affinity for most of the lectins. Some minor differences were found in the staining pattern of the cells and the secretory material in Dcp and Dcd as well as after different treatments. This is consistent with local and qualitative differences in the epididymal secretory and absorptive activity, which can be further modified by the hormonal milieu.