Microvasculature of the mouse epididymis, with special reference to fenestrated capillaries localized in the initial segment

Abstract

The blood supply, microvasculature, and ultrastructure of the capillaries in the epididymis in adult mice were regionally examined. The epididymal duct of the initial segment is surrounded with a dense network of fenestrated capillaries running just under the epithelium. The other segments have loose networks of nonfenestrated capillaries running in the interductal connective tissue. The fenestration of capillaries in the initial segment was markedly reduced in frequency immediately after cutting the efferent duct. In adult mice which were subjected to cutting of the efferent duct neonatally, the dense capillary network did not develop, and fenestrated capillaries were absent in the initial segment. We interpret our results to indicate that the fenestrated capillaries in the initial segment provide for absorption of the testicular fluid and that their development is dependent upon the testicular fluid entering the epididymal duct.