Scanning and Transmission Electron Microscopic Evidence of Epithelial Phagocytosis of Spermatozoa in the Terminal Region of the Vas Deferens of the Cat

Overview

Journal Experientia

Specialty Science

Date 1984 Sep 15

PMID 6468622

Citations 2

Authors

M Murakami

T Nishida

S Iwanaga

M Shiromoto

Affiliations

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Abstract

Scanning and transmission electron microscopic observations have been made in the terminal region of the vas deferens of the cat, with emphasis on the occurrence of spermiophagy. The present study has revealed that epithelial cells as well as luminal macrophages are extensively and actively involved in phagocytosis of spermatozoa. The mechanism of the spermiophagy is discussed, in relation to a possible role of the epithelial cells, as one function of the vas deferens.

Citing Articles

Three-dimensional analysis of interstitial cells in the lamina propria of the murine vas deferens by confocal laser scanning microscopy and FIB/SEM.

Hiroshige T, Uemura K, Hirashima S, Togo A, Ohta K, Nakamura K Sci Rep. 2022; 12(1):9484.

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Identification of PDGFRα-positive interstitial cells in the distal segment of the murine vas deferens.

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References

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