title: Gonadotropin-induced luminal formation in the seminiferous tubules and efferent ductules in young frogs: light and electron microscopic study.
abstract: To clarify the mechanism of fluid secretion in the testes at the time of gonadotropin-induced spermiation, young Rana nigromaculata were used. As a morphological index of fluid secretion, luminal formation of the seminiferous tubules, and efferent ductules were observed. The following changes were seen by the administration of hCG or frog pituitary: first, the luminal formation of the seminiferous tubules was seen; next, tubular expansion became evident, and finally, luminal formation and expansion were observed in the efferent ductules. These changes were preceded by the separation of cell contact among Sertoli cells and of cell contact between Sertoli cells and the cells of efferent ductules only in the center and the swelling of Sertoli cells and cells of efferent ductules. With regard to the flow of fluid at the time of spermiation, the present results indicate the possibility that there is a difference in the ability for fluid secretion between Sertoli cells and the ductule cells.
authors.affiliation: Biological Institute, Faculty of Science, Niigata University, Japan.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kobayashi
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Iwasawa
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002450:Cell Communication; D004543:Ejaculatory Ducts / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006062:Gonadotropins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D011898:Ranidae / Q000502:physiology*; D012671:Seminiferous Tubules / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D012708:Sertoli Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013737:Testis / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D006062:Gonadotropins