An ultracytochemical and ultrastructural study of epithelial cells in ductuli efferentes of Chinese hamster.

Abstract

Ultrastructural and ultracytochemical features of the efferent duct of Chinese hamster have been studied. The ducts are composed of two main types of epithelial cells, ciliated and nonciliated. Distinct structural and cytochemical characteristics of these cells are apparent. Presence of fibrogranular complex which is supposedly related to basal body replication was demonstrated in ciliated cells for the first time in this tissue. Thiamine pyrophosphatase activity in Golgi apparatus, acid phosphatase activity in Golgi apparatus and lysosomes and alkaline phosphatase activity on basal plasma membranes of both ciliated and nonciliated cells have been localized. However, thiamine pyrophosphatase activity was seen only on the luminal surface, apical vacuole and apical tubular structure of nonciliated cells but not on the surface of ciliated cells. Similarly, horseradish peroxidase was absorbed only by nonciliated cells. The cytochemical and ultrastructural differences between the two types of cells indicate a functional specialization. The results indicate that the ciliated cells are concerned with the transportation of the sperms and that the nonciliated cells are concerned with the regulation of fluid composition in the duct since the latter are capable of both secretion and absorption.