Scanning electron microscopic observation of spermiophage cell within the lumen of the epididymal duct of the vasectomized Japanese monkey (Macacus fuscatus)

Abstract

The spermiophagic process by intraluminal macrophages in the epididymal ducts of the vasectomized Japanese monkey was well visualized with scanning electron microscope. The fragments of disintegrated spermatozoa were seen in the phase enveloped in bulk by flap-like cytoplasmic extensions or in the phase ingested within the cytoplasm.

PIP: Spermiophagy by macrophages in the epididymal duct of the vasectomized Japanese monkey was observed with the scanning electron microscope. 2 adult Japanese monkeys were vasectomized bilaterally; the epididymal extremity of the deferent duct was ligated with silk and divided before the experiments. The efferent duct had the same type of ligation. After the animals were sacrificed, blocks of tissues obtained from the initial, middle, and terminal segments of the epididymal duct were immersed in aldehyde agent, washed in saline, postfixed in osmium tetroxide for 2 hours, dehydrated in an acetone series, and dried by critical point method. A scanning electron microscope was used to view the specimens. There were fragmented or disintegrated spermatozoa in high concentration in the epididymal ducts. Macrophages were present among the disintegrated spermtozoa. The fractured surfaces revealed various stages of spermiophagy by the macrophage. There was nomorphological evidence for uptake of spermatozoa by epithelial cells anywhere in the epididymal duct.