Histochemistry of oxidative metabolism in epididymal epithelium of mouse

The activities of cytoplasmic and mitochondrial dehydrogenases were assessed histochemically in the lining epithelia of five segments of the proximal part and the medial and distal parts of the mouse epididymis. The cytochemical evaluation of enzyme activities revealed by nitro BT or tetranitro BT was well supported by the relative transmittance values. In the principal cells of the proximal part, the activities of dehydrogenases differed according to histological segmentation. In the medial and distal parts of the duct, a progressive increase in the intensity of all the reactions was observed. The "goblet cells" with apical nuclei in the proximal part and the "clear cells" in the medial and distal parts showed higher activities than the adjacent principal cells.