Ductus Deferens (ductu + deferen)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Effect of experimentally induced Escherichia coli epididymo-orchitis and ciprofloxacin treatment on rat spermatogenesis

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF UROLOGY, Issue 3 2007
Aslan Demir
Abstract: We investigated the effects of epididymo-orchitis and ciprofloxacin on rat testicular histology and spermatogenesis. The control group underwent left orchiectomy. The second group received oral ciprofloxacin (150 mg/kg/day) for 10 days. Escherichia coli (106 cfu/mL, 0.1 mL) was injected into the proximal right ductus deferens in the third group. The fourth group received ciprofloxacin treatment 48 h after E. coli inoculation. In groups 3 and 4, bilateral orchiectomy was performed 14 days after the challenge. In healthy rats, ciprofloxacin caused recognizable histological damage associated with a mild decrease in testicular volume and sperm concentration. Infected testicles in groups 3 and 4 revealed severe histological damage associated with severe testicular atrophy and impaired spermatogenesis that were more significant in infected rats which received ciprofloxacin treatment. Contralateral testicles in these animals showed similar histopathological changes to a lesser extent. The results of our study suggest a gonadotoxic potential for ciprofloxacin and this potential in humans should be addressed with further studies. [source]


Renal sexual segment of the ground skink, Scincella laterale (Reptilia, Squamata, Scincidae),

JOURNAL OF MORPHOLOGY, Issue 1 2005
David M. Sever
Abstract Mature squamates possess hypertrophied regions of the distal urinary ducts, the renal sexual segment (RSS). The RSS is believed to provide seminal fluid that mixes with sperm and is released into the female cloaca during coitus. This study is the first to describe ultrastructure of the RSS in a lizard collected throughout the active season. The species examined, Scincella laterale, represents the largest family (Scincidae: 1,200 species) of lizards. Although sperm are present in the posterior ductus deferens of male S. laterale throughout the year, an annual spermatogenic cycle occurs that results in spermiation in spring, coinciding with maximum development of the RSS. Female S. laterale may possess stored sperm in vaginal crypts from March,May and large oviductal eggs April,June. Thus, the correlation between mating and RSS activity observed in other squamates is also found in S. laterale. Cytologically, the active RSS consists of columnar cells with numerous apical, electron-dense secretory vacuoles which are released by an apocrine process. The granules stain positively for proteins with bromphenol blue and react with PAS for neutral carbohydrates. After the mating season the RSS undergoes recrudescence and the electron-dense granules are replaced by a mucoid secretion that characterizes more proximal portions of the nephric tubules throughout the year. Little variation in ultrastructure of the RSS occurs between S. laterale and Cnemidophorus lemniscatus (Teiidae), the only other lizard in which seasonal variation of the RSS has been studied using similar methods. Females exhibit differentiation similar to that of males in the distal urinary tubules, but to a lesser degree. This is only the second such report for female squamates, and the differentiation of the region in females is proposed to result from adrenal androgens. J. Morphol. Published 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Macroscopic Features of the Arterial Supply to the Reproductive System of the Male Ostrich (Struthio camelus)

ANATOMIA, HISTOLOGIA, EMBRYOLOGIA, Issue 4 2007
M. Z. J. Elias
Summary The macroscopic features of the arterial supply to the reproductive system of the male ostrich was studied in 16 pre-pubertal and eight sexually mature and active birds. The left and right cranial renal arteries arise from the aorta, between the cranial divisions of the kidneys. These vessels supply the cranial divisions of the kidneys, the testes, the epididymides and the cranial segments of the ducti deferentia. Accessory testicular arteries which arise directly from the aorta are present in 45.8% of the specimens. They supply the testes and cranial parts of the ducti deferentia. They are variable in number and origin, and four variants are identified. A cranial ureterodeferential branch originates from the cranial renal artery, supplies the cranial portion of the ductus deferens and ureter, and runs caudally to anastomose with the middle renal artery. The sciatic artery arises laterally from the aorta, just caudal to the acetabulum, and gives rise, ventrally, to a common trunk, the common renal artery, which divides into the middle and caudal renal arteries. The middle renal artery gives rise to the middle ureterodeferential branch which supplies the middle part of the ductus deferens and ureter. A few centimetres caudal to the kidney, the aorta terminates in three branches, namely, the left and right internal iliac arteries and the median caudal artery. The internal iliac artery divides into the lateral caudal artery and the pudendal artery; the latter gives off caudal ureterodeferential branches that supply the caudal segments of the ductus deferens and ureter. In addition, the pudendal artery gives off vessels that supply the cloaca, some of which continue to the base of the phallus, where they form an arterial network. In conclusion, the pattern of the blood supply to the reproductive organs of the male ostrich is, in general, similar to that of the domestic fowl and pigeon, although there are a few highlighted distinctive features. [source]


Teaching of Anatomy of Genital Organs in the Large Animals

ANATOMIA, HISTOLOGIA, EMBRYOLOGIA, Issue 2005
G. M. Constantinescu
At the University of Missouri-Columbia, USA, teaching the anatomy of genital organs in large (and in small) animals is clinically oriented. In the male horse, ox, and pig, the descriptive anatomy of the structures is taught in that order as they are listed in Nomina Anatomica Veterinaria. Clinical correlates are immediately mentioned in relation to each of the following structures. The testicle, epididymis, ductus deferens, spermatic cord, and tunics of spermatic cord and testis are correlated to the castration, criptorchidism, ectopic testicles, and inguinal herniae, as well as to the landmarks and approaches to different clinical techniques. The penis and male urethra are correlated to the prolapse of the prepuce, ulcerative posthitis, balanitis, penile deviation, penischisis, persistent penile frenulum, short retractor penis muscle, catheterization of the urethra, the contagious equine metritis (CEM), etc. In the female horse, ox and pig, following the similar order as in the male species, the ovary and the salpinx are correlated to the diagnosis of pregnancy by rectal exploration, ovarian hypoplasia, ectopic pregnancy, and ovariectomy. The uterus is correlated to the different aspects of metritis and endometritis, to the retained placenta, pyometra, uterine torsion, uterine prolapse and eversion, Caesarian section, diagnosis of pregnancy and different stages of oestrus by rectal exploration, double external ostium of the cervix, distocia, and the assessment of possible difficulties in the birth process. The vagina and vestibulum vaginae are correlated to the gaertneritis, vaginal and cervical prolapse, vaginitis, catheterization of the urinary bladder, and pelvimetry. The vulva and clitoris are correlated to vulvitis, balanitis, distocia, episiotomy, and transmissible genital diseases. Different kinds of udder diseases (mastitis) are based on the thorough knowledge of the anatomy of the udder including the blood and nerve supply and the lymphatic system. The two techniques of epidural anesthesia (Magda and Farquharson in ruminants) and subsacral anaesthesia (Popescu) for diagnosis and treatment purposes are explained in detail. [source]


Androgen-binding Protein is Co-Expressed with Oxytocin in the Male Reproductive Tract

ANATOMIA, HISTOLOGIA, EMBRYOLOGIA, Issue 5 2005
Z. Herbert
Summary Androgen-binding protein (ABP) and the posterior lobe hormone oxytocin (OT) were co-localized in male rat reproductive organs. Immunostaining of serial semi-thin sections revealed a high rate of coexistence of both antigens in Sertoli cells and in the epithelial cells of the prostate. There was a considerably less co-localization of OT and ABP in epithelial cells of the epididymis, and in the different tissues of the ductus deferens. In situ hybridization with synthetic oligonucleotides complementary to a fragment of ABP mRNA showed specific staining in the same sites that were immunostained for ABP. ABP was isolated by affinity chromatography from homogenates of testis, epididymis, prostate and the content of the prostate lumen. Identical protein patterns could be shown with surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry in all samples except for the epididymis indicating that ABP structure is similar in all these tissues. ABP seems to be expressed in specified cells throughout the male rat reproductive tract. Most of these cells appear to be oxytocinergic. ABP and OT have previously been detected in the ejaculate. The observed epithelial cells are likely to be their source. [source]


Experimental Escherichia coli epididymitis in rats: a model to assess the outcome of antibiotic treatment

BJU INTERNATIONAL, Issue 9 2002
M. Ludwig
Objective ,To assess the effect of initial antimicrobial therapy with a new highly potent quinolone (sparfloxacin) on the outcome of infection, especially acute and chronic inflammation, in a rat model of unilateral Escherichia coli epididymitis. Materials and methods ,The study included 60 Sprague-Dawley rats, each of which received 0.1 mL of an E. coli (0:6 strain) suspension (106 colony forming units/mL) injected into the right ductus deferens. At 24 h after infection an oral antimicrobial treatment with sparfloxacin was initiated in half of the animals. The rats were killed 14 days, 3 and 6 months after infection, and both epididymes and the prostate gland cultured to re-isolate E. coli. To evaluate the grade of inflammation in both epididymes, histological variables, including acute and chronic inflammation and scar formation, were evaluated and a total inflammatory score, representing the sum of all variables, computed. Results ,Whereas antimicrobial therapy eradicated the pathogen, in untreated animals the pathogen was detectable for up to 6 months after infection in the infected epididymis and/or the prostate gland, while the contralateral epididymis was sterile. The inflammatory reaction in the infected epididymis was significantly less in treated animals (P < 0.001). Subclinical nonbacterial inflammation was present in the contralateral epididymis. Conclusions ,Although adequate antimicrobial treatment eradicated the pathogen and reduced the grade of epididymal damage, inflammation was not avoided. Subclinical inflammation of the contralateral epididymis may contribute to impaired fertility. These results indicate that an inflammatory reaction initiated by bacteria might persist as a nonbacterial process despite early therapy, or by bacteria undetectable by conventional culture techniques, and may compromise male fertility. [source]