[Light and electron microscopic study of the seminiferous tubules in experimental malacoplakia]

Behaviour of the epithelium of seminiferous tubules and interstitial tissue was studied in malacoplakia induced by administration of an extract of E. coli. Necrosis of the epithelium of seminiferous tubules developed immediately and it was replaced by granulocytes, and histiocytes, phagocytizing both, bacterial extract administered and disintegrated cells. Tunica propria was thickened by inflammatory cells. Hansemann cells were observed not only in the interstitium but between the layers of the tunica propria and on the place of the necrotized epithelium of the seminiferous tubules. Although Sertoli cells possess phagocytizing activity it could not be proved, that Hansemann cells are taking their origin from them.