Evolution and testosterone content of the epididymis during the annual cycle of the lizard Lacerta vivipara

The lizard epididymis provides a model for studying the control, by testosterone, of a secretory activity related to the physiology of spermatozoa. To evaluate seasonal changes and to establish chronological correlations between the structure of the epididymis and its testosterone content, lizards (Lacerta vivipara) were killed between March (emergence) and October (retreat). The epididymal tissue was examined histologically and assayed for testosterone content. Ten stages of development were defined, mainly on the basis of the epithelial structure and the morphological features of secretory activity. Degeneration of the epithelium after the breeding period and its subsequent renewal also were considered. Increased epithelial height and secretory activity coincided with a progressive rise of the testosterone level, and a severe atrophy followed a sudden reduction of blood testosterone. Reorganization of the epithelium takes place when testosterone is at its lowest level, and the hormonal dependency of this stage is questionable. This study confirms in vivo, during a sexual cycle, experimental evidence previously obtained concerning testosterone's control of the secretory activity of the lizard epididymis.