Intraepithelial lymphocytes and macrophages in the human epididymis.
The epididymides from 7 young adults and 5 older patients with prostatic cancer were investigated by means of light and electron microscopy. The existence of lymphocytes and macrophages between epithelial cells of various segments of the ductuli efferentes and the ductus epididymidis is proven, and the distribution and morphology of these cells are described. A possible relationship between these two intraepithelial cell types, as well as their presumptive role with regard to an immunological barrier-function are discussed.
D000328:Adult; D002450:Cell Communication; D002465:Cell Movement; D004822:Epididymis / Q000166:cytology*; D004847:Epithelial Cells; D006801:Humans; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology*; D008264:Macrophages / Q000166:cytology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged