Cultured Rat Epididymal Epithelium Research Articles

Involvement of Na+/HCO3‐ Cotransporter in Intracellular pH Regulation and Anion Secretion in Cultured Rat Epididymal Epithelia

Intracellular pH(pHi) plays a critical role in many intracellular processes. Several ion transporters, including Na+/H+ exchanger (NHE), Na+/HCO3‐ cotransporter(NBC) and vacuolar H+‐ATPase(H+‐ATPase), contribute to pHi regulation in different types of cells. The present study examined the mechanisms of pHi regulation by NBC in cultured caput epididymal epithelia by using the fluorescent pH sensitive probe, SNARF‐4F. In the HEPES buffered Krebs‐Henseleit(KH) solution, a pHi recovery from NH4Cl induced acidification was completely inhibited by amiloride, the inhibitor of NHE. Then immediate change of the KH solution from HEPES buffered to HCO3‐ buffered would cause another pHi recovery. The pHi recovery in HCO3‐ buffered KH solution was inhibited by 4, 4'diisothiocyanatostilbene‐2, 2′‐disulfonic acid (DIDS) or removal of extracellualr Na+. However, the pHi recovery was not affected by removal of extracellular Cl‐. In addition, the short circuit current measurement showed that adding DIDS to the basolateral side of epididymal epithelial monolayer could inhibit adrenalin induced anion secretion. In summary, these results indicate that not only does NBC play a functional role in pHi regulation of epididymal epithelia, but also regulate the epididymal fluid microenvironment by affecting anion secretion.This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No.30770817)

Innate immune responses of epididymal epithelial cells to Staphylococcus aureus infection

The epithelium is an active participant in the host response to infection. We hypothesized that epididymal epithelia play a role in the innate immune responses by sensing the presence of pathogens, expressing and secreting inflammatory cytokines that recruit inflammatory cells in response to invading pathogens. Our results indicated that TNF-α and IL-1β could be secreted by the primary cultured rat epididymal cauda epithelia infected with Staphylococcus aureus. Epididymal epithelial-induced nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression was up-regulated after S. aureus infection and nitric oxide (NO) was also found to be produced significantly. NF-κB inhibitor BAY11-7082 inhibited TNF-α secretion completely and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) inhibitor SB203580 decreased TNF-α secretion partly, indicating that NF-κB and p38 signal pathways were involved in this inflammation response. Toll-like receptor (TLR)-2 and -4 were shown to be expressed in primary cultured rat epididymal epithelia. After infection the level of TLR2 expression was up-regulated rather than TLR4. These results demonstrated that epididymal epithelium have an innate immune response through activation of p38 MAPK and NF-κB after TLR2 activation by S. aureus infection.

Involvement of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors in chloride secretion by cultured rat epididymal epithelium

The aim of our present study was to investigate the short-circuit current response to carbachol in cultured rat cauda epididymal epithelia and the signal transduction mechanisms involved. Carbachol added basolaterally induced a concentration-dependent increase in short-circuit current (Isc) across the epididymal epithelium consisting of a rapidly rising phase and a long term sustained response. The response was almost abolished by removing Cl(-) from the extracellular medium and blockable by pretreating the tissues with DPC, indicating a substantial contribution of Cl(-) secretion to the carbachol-induced response. The muscarinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist atropine inhibited the response, but the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors antagonist curarine had no effect, suggesting that only the muscarinic acetylcholine receptors mediated the secretory response of the basolateral side of rat cauda epididymal epithelium to carbachol. Addition of carbachol to the apical side of the tissue was found not to elicit an Isc response. These results suggested that muscarinic receptors are present in the basolateral side of rat cauda epididymal epithelium. Activation of these receptors by acetylcholine released from the nerve endings regulates epididymal transepithelial Cl(-) secretion. Cholinergic stimulation therefore contributes to the formation of luminal fluid microenvironment.

Cellular Mechanisms of Carbachol-Stimulated Cl− Secretion in Rat Epididymal Epithelium1

Neurotransmitter-controlled Cl- secretions play an important role in maintenance of the epididymal microenvironment for sperm maturation. This study was carried out to investigate the effect of carbachol (CCH) on the cultured rat epididymal epithelium and the signal transduction mechanisms of this response. In normal K-H solution, CCH added basolaterally elicited a biphasic Isc response consisting of a transient spike followed by a second sustained response. Ca2+ activated Cl- channel blocker disulfonic acid stilbene (DIDS, 300 microM) only inhibited part of the CCH-induced Isc response, while nonselective Cl- channel blocker diphenylamine-dicarboxylic acid (DPC, 1 mM) reduced all, indicating the involvement of different conductance pathways. Both peaks of the CCH-induced Isc response could be significantly inhibited by pretreatment with an adenylate cyclase inhibitor, MDL12330A (50 microM). An increase in intracellular cAMP content upon stimulation of CCH was measured. All of the initial peak and part of the second peak could be inhibited by pretreatment with Ca2+-chelating agent BAPTA/AM (50 microM) and an endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ pump inhibitor, Thapsigagin (Tg, 1 microM). In a whole-cell patch clamp experiment, CCH induced an inward current in the single cell. Two different profiles of currents were found; the first component current exhibited an outward rectifying I-V relationship in a time and voltage-dependent manner, and the current followed showed a linear I-V relationship. The carbachol-induced current was found to be partially blockable by DIDS and could be completely blocked by DPC. The above results indicate that the CCH-induced Cl- secretion could be mediated by Ca2+ and cAMP-dependent regulatory pathways.

Characterization of nucleoside transport systems in cultured rat epididymal epithelium.

The nucleoside transport systems in cultured epididymal epithelium were characterized and found to be similar between the proximal (caput and corpus) and distal (cauda) regions of the epididymis. Functional studies revealed that 70% of the total nucleoside uptake was Na(+) dependent, while 30% was Na(+) independent. The Na(+)-independent nucleoside transport was mediated by both the equilibrative nitrobenzylthioinosine (NBMPR)-sensitive system (40%) and the NBMPR-insensitive system (60%), which was supported by a biphasic dose response to NBMPR inhibition. The Na(+)-dependent [(3)H]uridine uptake was selectively inhibited 80% by purine nucleosides, indicating that the purine nucleoside-selective N1 system is predominant. Since Na(+)-dependent [(3)H]guanosine uptake was inhibited by thymidine by 20% and Na(+)-dependent [(3)H]thymidine uptake was broadly inhibited by purine and pyrimidine nucleosides, this suggested the presence of the broadly selective N3 system accounting for 20% of Na(+)-dependent nucleoside uptake. Results of RT-PCR confirmed the presence of mRNA for equilibrative nucleoside transporter (ENT) 1, ENT2, and concentrative nucleoside transporter (CNT) 2 and the absence of CNT1. It is suggested that the nucleoside transporters in epididymis may be important for sperm maturation by regulating the extracellular concentration of adenosine in epididymal plasma.

Na+ reabsorption in cultured rat epididymal epithelium via the Na+/nucleoside cotransporter.

The effect of nucleoside on Na+ reabsorption via Na+/nucleoside cotransporter in cultured rat epididymal epithelia was studied by short-circuit current (Isc) technique. Guanosine added apically stimulated Isc in a dose-dependent manner, with a median effective concentration (EC50) of 7 +/- 2 microM (mean +/- SEM). Removal of Na+ from the apical bathing solution or pretreatment with a nonspecific Na+/nucleoside cotransporter inhibitor, phloridzin, completely blocked the Isc response to guanosine. Moreover, the guanosine response was abolished by pretreatment of the tissue with ouabain, a Na+/K+-ATPase inhibitor, suggesting the involvement of Na+/nucleoside cotransporter on the apical side and Na+/K+-ATPase on the basolateral side in Na+ reabsorption. In contrast, the Isc response to guanosine was not affected after desensitization of purinoceptors by ATP. Addition of the Na+/K+/2Cl- symport inhibitor bumetanide to the basolateral side or the nonspecific Cl- channel blocker diphenylamine-2-carboxylate to the apical side showed no effect on the Isc response to guanosine, excluding stimulation of Cl- secretion by guanosine as the cause of the guanosine-induced Isc. The Isc response to purine nucleoside (guanosine and inosine) was much higher than that to pyrimidine nucleoside (thymidine and cytidine). Consistent with substrate specificity, results of reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction revealed mRNA for concentrative nucleoside transporter (CNT2), which is a purine nucleoside-selective Na+/nucleoside cotransporter in the epididymis, but not for CNT1. It is suggested that the Na+/nucleoside cotransporter (i.e., CNT2) may be one of the elements involved in Na+ and fluid reabsorption in the epididymis, thereby providing an optimal microenvironment for the maturation and storage of spermatozoa.

Lonidamine and analogue AF2785 block the cyclic adenosine 3', 5'-monophosphate-activated chloride current and chloride secretion in the rat epididymis.

The cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) or the small conductance cAMP-activated chloride channel encoded by the CFTR gene has been shown to play an important role in the formation of the epididymal fluid microenvironment. Mutation of the gene has led to widespread effects on male reproduction. Like other ion channels, CFTR is amenable to pharmacological intervention. Blocking CFTR in the epididymis could in principle lead to disruption of the epididymal fluid environment. We report for the first time two indazole compounds: lonidamine and 1-(2, 4-dichlorobenzyl)-indazole-3-acrylic acid (AF2785) are potent blockers of CFTR in the epididymis. When added to the external solution under whole-cell patch clamp conditions, AF2785 and lonidamine inhibited the cAMP-activated chloride current in rat epididymal cells with apparent IC(50) values of 170.6 and 631.5 microM, respectively; by comparison the IC(50) value for diphenylamine-2-carboxylate, a well-known chloride channel blocker was 1294 microM. In cultured rat epididymal epithelia mounted in a Ussing chamber, AF2785 and lonidamine inhibited the cAMP-stimulated short-circuit current (a measure of chloride secretion) when added to the apical bathing solution with potency greater than any known chloride channel studied. It is proposed that in view of the important role CFTR plays in male reproduction, further study with these and other new indazole compounds for their CFTR blocking actions can provide a new avenue of research into the development of novel male contraceptives.

Regulation of anion secretion by cyclo-oxygenase and prostanoids in cultured epididymal epithelia from the rat.

1. The role of cyclo-oxygenase (COX) in the regulation of anion secretion (measured as short- circuit current, Isc) in cultured epididymal epithelia from immature rats was investigated. 2. COX inhibitors attenuated the increase of anion secretion caused by bradykinin (LBK) but had no effect on that caused by PGE2, suggesting that prostaglandin synthesis mediates the secretory response of the tissues to LBK. 3. The apparent IC50 values for indomethacin, piroxicam and L-745,337 in inhibiting the LBK-induced Isc were 0.14, 1.34 and 15.7 microM, respectively. This order of potency: indomethacin > piroxicam > L-745,337 >> DFU suggests the involvement of the COX-1 isozyme in the mediation of the secretory response to LBK. 4. Among the COX products (prostaglandins, thromboxane and prostacyclins) tested, only PGE2 and, to a much lesser extent, PGF2alpha stimulated anion secretion by cultured rat epididymal epithelia. 5. The effect of PGE2 was mimicked by 11-deoxyl PGE1, a specific prostaglandin E (EP)2/4 receptor agonist, but not by sulprostone, a specific EP1/3 receptor agonist, indicating that cyclic AMP-coupled EP2/4 receptors are involved in the LBK-stimulated anion secretion. 6. A reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction study detected the expression of COX-1 and COX-2 mRNA in intact rat epididymis and in cultured epididymal epithelia. The expression of COX-1 mRNA was reduced by LBK by 44 %. 7. Immunohistochemical studies demonstrated the presence of COX-1 immunoreactivity in the basal cells of the intact rat epididymis. By comparison, COX-2 immunoreactivity was detected in the apical pole of the principal cells. 8. The role of COX in the formation of the epididymal microenvironment and the implication of long term administration of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) on male fertility are discussed.

Evidence for independent Cl‐ and HCO3‐ secretion and involvement of an apical Na(+)‐HCO3‐ cotransporter in cultured rat epididymal epithelia

Electrogenic chloride and bicarbonate secretion by cultured rat epididymal epithelia was studied using the short-circuit current (ISC) technique. When incubated in normal solution, 8-(4-chlorophenylthio)-adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cpt-cAMP) caused a rise in the ISC, which was attributable to Cl- and HCO3- secretion. Cl- secretion was found to contribute to the initial transient phase, whereas HCO3- secretion contributed to the sustained phase of the response. HCO3- secretion involves a basolaterally placed Na(+)-H+ exchanger and apical anion channel, most probably the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR). There is also evidence that an apical electrogenic Na(+)-HCO3- cotransporter is involved in HCO3- exit. CFTR accounted for 70% of HCO3- secretion, while the Na(+)-HCO3- cotransporter accounted for 30%. The possibility that the cotransporter may serve as an alternative pathway for HCO3- secretion in cystic fibrosis is discussed.

The effect of [Arg8]vasopressin on electrogenic chloride secretion in cultured rat epididymal epithelia.

Primary cultured rat efferent ductal epithelia and cauda epididymal epithelial were mounted in Ussing chambers to study the effect of arginine vasopressin (AVP) on chloride secretion in the male excurrent duct. The regional differences in the signal transduction pathways involved were also investigated. In both the efferent duct and the cauda epididymidis, basolateral addition of AVP resulted in a dose-dependent increase in the short-circuit current (Isc), which was mediated via V1 receptor. Replacement of ambient Cl- with gluconate or pretreatment of a Cl- channel blocker, diphenylamine-2-carboxylate (apical, 1 mM), completely abolished the response, whereas addition of amiloride had no effect on the Isc. Pretreating the epithelia of the efferent duct with indomethacin (apical, 5 microM) or forskolin (basolateral, 1 microM), but not thapsigargin (apical, 1 microM) or trifluoperazine (apical, 20 microM), significantly inhibited the AVP response (P < 0.001). By comparison, pretreating the epithelia of the cauda epididymidis with any of the four agents significantly reduced the AVP-evoked response. These results suggested that the stimulation of chloride secretion by AVP in the efferent duct and the cauda epididymidis is mediated by prostaglandin synthesis and involves adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) as a second messenger. In the cauda epididymidis, calcium, in addition to cAMP, may play a role in mediating the AVP-induced response.

Biphasic short-circuit current response to noradrenaline mediated by Ca2+ and cAMP in cultured rat epididymal epithelium

A study was carried out to investigate the short-circuit current (Isc) response to noradrenaline (NA) and the signal transduction mechanisms involved in cultured rat cauda epididymal epithelium. In normal Krebs-Henseleit solution, NA (10 mumol.l-1) added basolaterally elicited a biphasic Isc response consisting of a transient spike followed by a second sustained response. The biphasic response was almost abolished by removing ambient Cl-. Preloading the tissues with a cell-permeant Ca2+ chelator, 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy) ethane-N,N,N',N',-tetraacetic acid acetoxymethyl ester (BAPTA/AM), or pretreating them with thapsigargin (Tg), a microsomal adenosine triphosphatase inhibitor abolished the initial spike in the Isc response to NA, but had little effect on the second component. Pretreating the tissues with a non-selective beta-antagonist, nadolol, reduced the second Isc response in a dose-dependent fashion but the initial spike was not affected. Microfluorimetric studies showed that NA (100 mumol.l-1) elicited single Ca2+ spikes in isolated epididymal cells, which could be abolished by prior treatment with Tg. Biochemical assays showed that NA (10 mumol.l-1) increased intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate concentration ([cAMP]i) and the response was abolished by prior treatment with nadolol (50 mumol.l-1). The results showed that NA elicited a biphasic Isc response mediated by a rise in intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) followed by a rise in [cAMP]i. The Ca(2+)-mediated Isc response had a faster onset and more transient action than the cAMP counterpart. It is suggested that NA released from noradrenergic nerve endings regulates transepithelial Cl- secretion in the epididymis thereby providing the specialized millieu vital for sperm storage and maturation.

Characterization of adrenoceptors involved in the electrogenic chloride secretion by cultured rat epididymal epithelium.

1. Short-circuit current (SCC) technique was used to study the adrenoceptors involved in the electrogenic chloride secretion by cultured cauda epididymal epithelium of rats. Stimulation of the epithelium with noradrenaline (primarily beta 1-adrenoceptor selective agonist), salbutamol (beta 2-adrenoceptor selective agonist) and adrenaline (non-selective beta-adrenoceptor agonist) led to a rise in SCC. At a low chart-speed (2 mm min-1), the response profile to these agonists consisted of a peak followed by a sustained response considerably higher than the basal SCC. 2. The EC50s (doses of agonist producing 50% maximum response) of noradrenaline, salbutamol and adrenaline were 300, 115 and 10 nM respectively. Pretreating the tissues with 1 microM atenolol (beta 1-selective antagonist) and 10 microM butoxamine (beta 2-selective antagonist) shifted the dose-response curves of noradrenaline (shifted EC50 = 4000 nM) and salbutamol (shifted EC50 = 1050 nM) to the right. Atenolol (1 microM) and butoxamine (10 microM) shifted the dose-response curve of adrenaline to the right with new EC50s of 30 nM and 115 nM, respectively. 3. The rapidly rising phase of the SCC response to noradrenaline and adrenaline observed at low chart-speed consisted of a brief and transient retraction followed by a rebound increase in SCC. At a high chart-speed (1 mm s-1), the retraction and rebound phenomenon manifested as a fast initial spike which could be blocked by phentolamine (non-specific alpha-adrenoceptor antagonist) in a dose-dependent fashion. Similar initial spikes were observed when the tissues were stimulated with phenylephrine (alpha-selective agonist) but not with isoprenaline (non-selective beta-agonist) or forskolin (activator of adenylate cyclase). The response of the initial spike triggered by noradrenaline was dose-dependent and the EC50 was 2000 nM.4. The present study showed that the electrogenic chloride secretion by rat epididymis could be stimulated by (alphaxi-, beta131- and beta2-adrenoceptor agonists. The al-mediated response had a faster onset and more transient action than the 3-counterpart. It is postulated that epididymal chloride secretion might be regulated by neural (noradrenaline-mediated) and humoral (adrenaline-mediated) controls and that the stimulus-secretion coupling mechanisms might involve both Ca2+(alpha-mediated response) and adenosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate (beta-mediated response) as intracellular second messengers.

Secretory agonists stimulate a rise in intracellular cyclic AMP but not Ca2+ and inositol phosphates in cultured rat epididymal epithelium

Primary monolayer cultures of rat epididymal cells have been shown to secrete chloride and bicarbonate when stimulated with beta-adrenergic agents, humoral agents and vasoactive peptides. The intracellular messengers mediating the secretory response are unknown. In this study intracellular AMP, Ca2+ and inositol phosphates were measured in epididymal monolayers at rest and upon stimulation with various secretory agonists. Adrenaline, forskolin, lysylbradykinin, prostaglandin, endothelin, angiotensin II, antidiuretic hormone and vasoactive intestinal peptide at concentrations that stimulate anion secretion caused a rise in intracellular cyclic AMP. The increase in cyclic AMP by adrenaline was blocked by propranolol but not by phentolamine. Studies of the concentration-effect relationships showed that for adrenaline and endothelin the EC50 for stimulation of cyclic AMP was higher than that for stimulation of anion secretion. None of these agonists affects intracellular Ca2+ concentration and inositol phosphate contents in epididymal monolayers. Ca2+ ionophores A21387, ionomycin and erythrosin B (with irradiation with white light), at concentrations that stimulate anion secretion, also stimulated a rise in intracellular cyclic AMP and concomitantly increased intracellular Ca2+. The increase in cyclic AMP was dependent on extracellular Ca2+. It is not known whether the secretory response to Ca2+ ionophores was mediated by an increase in cell Ca2+ per se, or cyclic AMP. However, it can be concluded that cyclic AMP is the second messenger which mediates the secretory responses to physiological stimuli.

Potassium channel blockers inhibit anion secretion in cultured rat epididymal epithelium.

The effect of putative K channel blockers on anion secretion has been studied in primary monolayer cultures of rat epididymal cells using the short circuit current technique. Under basal conditions, monolayers had a transepithelial potential difference of about 2-3 mV, apical side negative and a short circuit current (SCC) of about 2 microA.cm-2. The transepithelial resistance was about 500 omega.cm2. Addition of adrenaline (0.23 microM, basolaterally) caused the SCC to rise to a peak value of about 10.5 microA.cm-2 and then stabilized at about 4 microA.cm-2 after 15 min. This rise in the short circuit current has previously been shown to be due to an increase in net anion secretion from the basolateral to the apical medium. In tissues stimulated with adrenaline, addition of barium (Ba) to the apical side did not affect the adrenaline-induced SCC, but addition to the basolateral side caused a dose-dependent inhibition of the current with an IC50 value (concentration required to inhibit 50% of the current) of 0.92 mM. At Ba concentration of 5 mM, the adrenaline-induced SCC was completely abolished. There was no effect on transepithelial resistance. Addition of tetraethylamonium (TEA) (16 mM) to the apical or basolateral side had no significant effect on the adrenaline-stimulated SCC. Lidocaine and quinidine inhibited the adrenaline-stimulated SCC when added either to the apical or basolateral bathing solution. The IC50 values for lidocaine were 0.42 mM and 0.35 mM for basolateral and apical application, respectively. The IC50 values for quinidine were 0.062 mM and 0.050 mM for basolateral and apical application, respectively. In all cases there was no change in tissue resistance. It is proposed that in the basolateral membrane of the epididymal cells, there is a component which is sensitive to putative K channel blockers. It is likely that it is a K channel. As in other secretory cells, this channel plays an important role in secretion.

Mechanism of adrenergic stimulation of anion secretion in cultured rat epididymal epithelium

Primary monolayer cultures of the epithelial cells from the rat cauda epididymidis had a basal transepithelial potential of 1.24 +/- 0.11 mV, apical side negative, a short-circuit current (SCC) of 2.42 +/- 0.17 microA/cm2, and a transepithelial resistance of 503 +/- 29.6 omega/cm2. Epinephrine (0.23 microM) added to the basolateral side caused a rise in the SCC (inward flowing) that was partially reversed by addition of amiloride, 4-acetamido-4'-isothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (SITS), bumetanide, and acetazolamide to the basolateral side. In the absence of Cl or HCO3, the SCC response to epinephrine was reduced by 65 and 66%, respectively. Removal of K reduced the SCC response by 40%, whereas Na removal completely abolished it. A23187 and phorbol ester, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), stimulated the SCC when added to the apical side. Addition of the Cl channel blockers, anthracene-9-carboxylate and 5-nitro-2-(3-phenylpropylamino)-benzoic acid (NPPB) to the apical side reduced the SCC in a dose-dependent manner. It is concluded that anion secretion by the epididymis shares common mechanisms with other Cl-secreting epithelia.

Electrogenic anion secretion in cultured rat epididymal epithelium.

Primary monolayer cultures enriched with principal cells from rat cauda epididymis were grown on pervious supports until confluence was reached. The epithelia so formed were used for short-circuit current recording. Epididymal monolayers had a transepithelial potential of 0.2 mV (apical side negative), a basal short-circuit current of 2 microA/cm2 and a transepithelial resistance of 60-90 omega cm2 when bathed on both sides with Krebs-Henseleit solution at 37 degrees C and gassed with 95% O2-5% CO2. 8-bromo-adenosine 3',5'-phosphate (1 mM) and forskolin (10 microM) caused an inward-flowing current in short-circuited monolayers. The current was partially sensitive to acetazolamide and to frusemide, suggesting that anion secretion was responsible for the responses. In the absence of chloride in the bathing fluid the response to forskolin was sensitive to acetazolamide but not to frusemide. The peptide lysylbradykinin (LBK) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) also produced inward-flowing currents which again appeared to be due to anion secretion. The actions of PGE2 were seen only when this agent was added to the basolateral side of the tissue, while LBK had effects from both sides. The responses to kinin, but not to PGE2, were inhibited by cyclo-oxygenase inhibitors such as piroxicam and indomethacin. It seems the kinin effects are dependent, at least in part, upon eicosanoid formation. Responses to kinin and PGE2 were severely attenuated in chloride-free bathing solution. Readdition of chloride-containing solution restored the responses to both agents. Assuming electrogenic ion secretion in the epididymis is accompanied by osmotic fluid flow it is evident that the transit time of sperm in the cauda epididymis will be reduced. Possible consequences for the maturation of spermatozoa are discussed.