Role of the epididymis in reabsorption of inhibin in the rat.
The effects of efferent duct ligation, orchidectomy and orchido-epididymectomy were compared at 36 h. This showed that the rat epididymis is capable of maintaining a negative feedback control of FSH secretion. Epididymal extracts contained a substance of tubular origin capable of reducing FSH secretion. This substance is a protein and is found in the caput region but not in the caudal region of the epididymis. A new role can be assigned to the head of the epididymis: that of reabsorbing, together with testis fluid, the inhibin produced by the seminiferous tubules, which thus passes into the bloodstream and provides a feedback regulation of plasma FSH.
D000042:Absorption; D000818:Animals; D002369:Castration; D003864:Depression, Chemical; D004822:Epididymis / Q000502:physiology*; D005246:Feedback; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D008026:Ligation; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D011506:Proteins / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D012636:Secretory Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D013735:Testicular Hormones / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D013737:Testis / Q000502:physiology; D014020:Tissue Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology
D011506:Proteins; D013735:Testicular Hormones; D014020:Tissue Extracts; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone