Histomorphology of the epididymis in prepubertal goats

Abstract

It was examined whether instead of three traditional divisions (caput, corpus, cauda), the epididymis in prepubertal goats could be divided into more divisions and whether the adult pattern of epididymis is established at this age (4–5 months). Based on the distribution of cell types, position of nuclei of principal cells, tubular diameter, luminal diameter, epithelial height and stereocilia, the epididymis in 4–5-month-old prepubertal goats ( n = 5) was divided into eight regions. The epithelium was pseudostratified in all regions and consisted mainly of principal and basal cells. Clear cells and lymphocytes were also present in some regions. Regions II and III contained more basal cells and lymphocytes than region I. The number of basal cells further increased in regions IV, V and VI. The position of nuclei of principal cells varied regionwise. The vesicular nature of principal cells was limited to the supranuclear region. Tubular diameter, luminal diameter, epithelial height and stereocilia showed significant ( P < 0.05) differences for most of the regions and the details varied with the parameter. Tubular diameter was minimum in region I (82.48 ± 2.08 μm) and maximum in region VIII (179.97 ± 2.95 μm). Although luminal diameter was also maximum in region VIII (143.87 ± 3.40 μm) but minimum in region VII (53.80 ± 1.82 μm). Epithelial height was minimum in region I (10.63 ± 0.35 μm) but maximum in region VII (29.78 ± 0.47 μm). Stereocilia height was minimum in region I (2.57 ± 0.14μm) and maximum in region III (10.10 ± 0.25 μm). Reticular fibres, but not elastic fibres, were observed in the peritubular connective tissue. It is concluded that the epididymis in prepubertal goats can be divided into eight regions but differ in detail from the observations in immature animals of other species and mature goats.