Scanning and transmission electron microscopic evidence of epithelial phagocytosis of spermatozoa in the terminal region of the vas deferens of the cat |
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| Authors: | M Murakami T Nishida S Iwanaga M Shiromoto |
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| Institution: | (1) Department of Anatomy, Kurume University School of Medicine, Asahi-Machi 67, 830 Kurume, (Japan) |
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| Abstract: | Summary Scanning and transmission electron microscopic observations have been made in the terminal region of the vas deferens of the cat, with emphasis on the occurrence of spermiophagy. The present study has revealed that epithelial cells as well as luminal macrophages are extensively and actively involved in phagocytosis of spermatozoa. The mechanism of the spermiophagy is discussed, in relation to a possible role of the epithelial cells, as one function of the vas deferens. |
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| Keywords: | Cat vas deferens vas deferens cat spermatozoa phagocytosis epithelial spermiophagy |
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