Excurrent duct system in male rabbit: a morphological study.
The present study was carried out to determine the detailed histological and cytological features of the excurrent ducts of the male reproductive system in the rabbit. The rete testis is comprised of flattened epithelium surrounding a wide lumen which is devoid of spermatozoa. Vasaefferentia epithelium is comprised mainly of ciliated and non-ciliated cells and the lumen is devoid of sperms. On the basis of the characteristics of the epithelium, and luminal contents and histometric observations such as luminal diameter, epithelial cell height and stereocilia height, seven regions of epididymis were identified. Similarly, the vas deferens was identified into 3 regions; proximal, distal and terminal. Results were discussed bearing in mind the functional significance of different regions.
D000818:Animals; D004822:Epididymis / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D008297:Male; D011817:Rabbits; D012152:Rete Testis / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D012670:Seminiferous Epithelium / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D012671:Seminiferous Tubules / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013737:Testis / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D014649:Vas Deferens / Q000033:anatomy & histology*