The microvasculature of the rat vas deferens: a scanning electron and light microscopic study

The microvasculature of rat vas deferens was studied by scanning electron microscopy of corrosion vascular casts and intact tissues. The larger arterial supply and venous drainage vessels were also studied by light microscopy of silicone rubber-injected and cleared tissue. The distal two thirds of the vas deferens has four vascular layers: an adventitial layer, a vascular network in the muscle layers, a sinusoidal network in the lamina propria and a subepithelial capillary network. The proximal third of the vas deferens lacks the sinusoidal network. This sinusoidal network in the lamina propria may be an erectile tissue which could facilitate the transport of spermatozoa along the vas deferens on ejaculation. The deferential veins commencing at the cauda epididymis drain the vas deferens, except for its distal end which is drained by the veins connected with those of the dorsolateral prostate and seminal vesicle.