Periodic Changes of the Testis and Ductus Epididymis in Korean Hibernating Bats

韓國産 冬眠 박쥐의 精巢와 副精巢의 週期的인 變化에 관한 硏究

The periodic changes of testis and \ulcorner션 epididymidis in Korean hibernating bats, the oriental discoloured bats (Vesportilio superans Thomas) and the Korean greater horseshoe bats (Rhinolophus ferrumequinum korak Kuroda) were studied in order to clarify the possibility of correlation between their histological findings and one of physiological facets, hibernation, and the results obtained were as follows: 1. The spermatogenic function of the oriental discoloured bats obtained in July and August was depressed although the spermatocytes showed a considerable cell proliferation. Few mature sperms were observed in the seminiferous tubules of the bat obtained in August. 2. The spermatogenic function of the Korean greater horeshoe bats obtained in September was not remalkable but a considerable number of sperms were stored in the excretory ducts which were characterized by existence of para-tubular spaces in the ductus epididymidis. 3. The spermatogenic epithelia of the Korean greater horseshoe bats obtained in December showed histologically atrophied figures. However, a vast number of sperm remained in extremely expaned luminae of the ductuc epididymidis which epithelial cells were maintained rectangular in shape. 4. These results suggest that there are periodic changes of the spermatogenic epithelia and the excretory ducts, and that those histological changes are closely related to their wintering.