Cell organs during secretion in the epididymis

Abstract

Anatomically, the epididymis is the mass of convoluted tubules which connect the testis with the vas deferens. It has been the subject of numerous cytological studies, owing to the fact that the epithelial cells lining its constituent tubules elaborate a secretion, which has been considered to provide nourishment for the spermatozoa during their passage to the vasa. This secretion has been regarded by some observers as of nuclear origin, and by others as a cytoplasmic product. Benoit has described in cells of the epididymis of certain mammals, including man, the extrusion of nucleolar particles from the nucleus into the cytoplasm. Such particles generally enlarge in the cytoplasm, and are finally ejected into the lumen containing the spermatozoa. The budding-off of portions of the nucleus, containing acidophil granules and karyolymph, was also observed. According to Benoit, therefore, the secretion, which, he considers, subserves a nutritive function for the spermatozoa, is derived principally from the nucleus (1).