• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.8-16
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• 1984

The work was conducted with tole purpose of investigation on the development pattern of epididymis in accordance with the growth of meat-type cockerels. 1. Histological features of various ductules in epididymis of the cockerel on the age of weeks were as follow: within 10 weeks after hatching rete testis and connecting ductules were well developed but efferent ductules were observed in immature form. During 10th to 20th week, the lining epithelium of various ductules in epididymis was in the developing stage near to the mature form. From 21th week, various ductules were abruptly matured. Lumen of rete testis was lined by simple squamous or simple columnar epithelial cells and that of efferent ductules, having many folds and being larger than any others, were lined by ciliated pseudostratified columnar epithelium with ciliated columnar cells, clear cells and basal cells were noted. Luminal epithelium of connecting ductules was composed of ciliated low pseudostratified columnar epithelial cells, ciliated columnar cells, clear cells and basal cells. The luminal surface of epididymal ducts was pseudostratified columnar epithelium and which was composed of high columnar cells and basal cells. 2. In the India ink absorption test, India ink granules were noted above the nucleus of some cells in the efferent ductules and the connecting ductules at 7 hours after administration of India ink to the mature epididymis, but not absorbed in the other ductules. The granules reactive to acid phosphatase were most abundant in some epithelial cells of efferent ductules and connecting ductules, especially above the nucleus of cells. The granules reactive to alkaline phosphatase were noted on the luminal border of efferent ductules. The granules reactive to PAS were scattered in the epithelial cells of efferent ductules and connecting ductules.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.137-148
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• 1983

This study was made for the better information of the male reproductive system on the meat-type drake, Cherry Belly X White Golden. The epithelium of ductules of epididymal region and deferent duct were observed histologically and histochemically with the progress of their development. India-ink absorbability on the luminal epithelium was also investigated after the administration of India-ink. The results are as follows; 1. Rete testis and various round ductules in immature form appeared in epididymis within 6 weeks after hatching, and simple cuboidal and simple columnar epithelium were found in the epithelia of the ductules within 8 weeks after hatching. Larger ductules were found on epididymal surface which was in the developing stage near to the immature efferent ductule. From 10th to 20th week, various ductules appeared in epididymis, and developing form of efferent ductules were much more increased on epididymal surface. The luminal epithelium of the ductules were composed of ciliated simple columnar and pseudostratified ciliated columnar cells. At the same time, deferent duct appeared. From the 21th week, various ductules in epididymis became abruptly matured. Lumen of rete testis was lined by simple squamous or simple cuboidal epithelium, and that of efferent ductules, having many folds and being larger than any others were lined by pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium in which ciliated columnar cells, non-ciliated cells(clear cells) and basal cells were noted. Connecting tubules of star shaped lumen were composed of pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium in which ciliated columnar cells, nonciliated cells, and basal cells were observed. The luminal surface of epididymal ducts was smooth and has thick pseudostratified columnar epithelium which was composed of high columnar cells and basal cells. From 26th week after hatching, sperm pooling was started in various ductules. 2. From 4th to 10th week, simple cuboidal epithelium of deferent duct transformed to simple columnar epithelium with the progress of aging. At the basement of epithelium, clear round cells were noted. From 12th to 20th week, high columnar cells with enlongated nucleus were noted on the luminal border of deferent ducts, forming folds of pseuclostratified columnar epithelium. From 20th week, the deferent duct started to have septa in it's lumen and composed mainly of pseudostratified columnar epithelium, and round cells disappeared. From 20th week, the lumen diameter of deferent duct became wider with the progress of aging, but there was no difference among the values of lumen diameter in upper, middle, and lower part of deferent ducts. At 26th week, the pooling period of sperms in deferent ducts, the lumen diameter became rapidly widen, especially in the lower part of deferent ducts. Thickness of muscular layer of ductus deferens showed gradual growth within 24 weeks but did abrupt thickening from 26th week. 3. Saliva resistant PAS granules were dotted on the top of nucleus in efferent ductules epithelium but the amount of the granules were little in the connecting ductules's epithelium. The granules reactive to acid phosphatase were abundant in the some epithelial cells of efferent ductules and connecting ductules, especially above the nucleus of cells. The granules reactive to alkaline phosphatase were noted on the luminal border of efferent ductules. Parts of free border of efferent ductules and middle portion of deferent ducts were stained slightly by alcian blue technique. India ink granules were found mainly in the epithelium of efferent ductules but were few in that of connecting ductules.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.190-197
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• 2003

This study was designed to investigate the function of estrogen in related with the effects of the antiestrogen on morphologic changes of efferent ductules of the adult male mouse. Estrogen is synthesized in the male reproductive system and is found in high concentrations in rete and seminal fluids. Adult male mice, 30 days old, were injected subcutaneously with ICI(5mg/mouse) once per week for 8 weeks. Tissues were fixed by vascular perfusion on days 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 25 and 59 post-treatment. The lumen of efferent ductules began to dilate from the day 8 and continued to the day 59 post-treatment. Epithelial cell height in the efferent ductules of the treated mice decreased all the time periods, compared to the control. Cell height in proximal region of the efferent ductules in the treated groups decreased most by 38%. Supranuclear cytoplasmic height in epithelial cell of the ducts also showed the decrease of 46%, 39% and 33% in proximal, conus and common regions in the treated groups, respectively. ICI 182,780 treatment in the male mouse reproduced a similar morphological abnormalities that were observed in the efferent ductules of the ${\alpha}ERKO$ mouse.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.309-320
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• 2007

The purpose of the present study was to determine if monocarboxylate transporter(MCT) isoforms and Basigin(Bsg) are expressed in the efferent ductules(ED) and if MCT1 expression is under estrogen receptor(ER)α-regulation in the ED of male reproductive tract. The presence of MCT isoforms and Bsg mRNAs was detected by real-time polymerization chain reaction(PCR), and ERα-mediated regulation of MCT1 expression in the ED was indirectly determined by immuno- histochemistry. Current study found differential expression of MCT isoforms(MCT1, 2, 3, 4, and 8) and Bsg mRNAs in rat ED according to postnatal ages. In addition, comparison of MCT1 expression in the ED between wild type and ERα knockout mice at different postnatal ages showed basolateral localization of MCT1 in ciliated cells of the ED and, in part, ERα- mediated regulation of MCT1 expression. It is suggested that MCTs would play a role in regulation of function of the ED.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.15-24
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• 2007

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the presence and differential expression of connexin isoforms in the efferent ductules (ED) of male rat reproductive tract during postnatal development. Total RNA was isolated from the ED collected from rats at 1 week, 2 weeks, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months of ages. Expression of six connexin mRNAs of 14 isoforms tested was detected by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. Fluctuation of mRNA levels of connexins 26 and 30 was found according to ages. A significant decrease of connexin 31.1 mRNA level was observed in the ED at 1 month of age. The highest levels of connexin 37 and 45 mRNAs were detected in the ED of early developmental period, while the expression of connexin 43 was the lowest at 1 week of age. The present study demonstrates differential regulation on expression of connexin isoforms in the rat ED in age-dependent manner.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.510-522
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• 2008

Our earlier studies showed that estrogen was involved in the regulation of fluid reabsorption in adult mouse efferent ductules (ED), through estrogen receptor (ER) ${\alpha}$ and $ER{\beta}$ by modulating gene expression of epithelial genes involved in ion homeostasis. However, little is known about the importance of $ER{\alpha}$ in the ED during postnatal development. Based on previous findings, we hypothesized that there should be a difference in the expression of epithelial ion transporters and anion producers in the ED of postnatal wild type (WT) and estrogen receptor ${\alpha}$ knockout (${\alpha}ERKO$) mice. Using absolute, comparative and semi-quantitative RT-PCR along with immunohistochemistry, we looked at expression levels of several genes in the ED across postnatal development. The presence of estrogen in the testicular fluid was indirectly ascertained by immunohistochemical detection of the P450 aromatase in the testis. There was no immunohistochemically detectable difference in the expression of P450 aromatase in the testes and ER${\beta}$ in the ED of WT and ${\alpha}$ERKO mice. ER${\alpha}$ was only detected in the ED of WT mice. The absence of ER${\alpha}$ in the ED of postnatally developing mice resulted in differential expression of mRNAs and/or proteins for carbonic anhydrase II, $Na^+/H^+$ exchanger 3, down-regulated in adenoma, cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator, and $Na^+/K^+$ ATPase ${\alpha}$. Our data indicate that the absence of ER${\alpha}$ resulted in altered expression of an epithelial ion producer and transporters during postnatal development of mice. We conclude that the presence of ER${\alpha}$is important for regulation of the ED function during the prepubertal developmental and postpubertal period.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.289-297
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• 2013

Bisphenol A (BPA) is an estrogenic endocrine disrupter. However, depending on a way of treatment, the harmful effects of BPA have not been confirmed. Also, trans-generational effects of BPA on male reproduction are still controversial. Because the reabsorption of testicular fluid in the efferent ductules (ED) and initial segment (IS) is important for sperm maturation, the present study was designed to determine trans-generational effect of BPA administrated orally on expression of water transport-related molecules in the mouse ED and IS. Ethanol-dissolved BPA was diluted in water to be 100 ng (low), $10{\mu}g$ (medium), and $1mg/m{\ell}$ water (high). BPA-containing water was provided for two generations. Expression of ion transporters and water channels in the ED and IS were measured by relative real-time PCR analysis. In the ED, BPA treatment caused expressional increases of carbonic anhydrase II, cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator, $Na^+/K^+$ ATPase ${\alpha}1$ subunit, and aquaporin (AQP) 1. No change of $Na^+/H^+$ exchange (NHE) 3 expression was detected. BPA treatment at medium dose resulted in an increase of AQP9 expression. In the IS, the highest expressional levels of all molecules tested were observed in medium-dose BPA treatment. Generally, high-dose BPA treatment resulted in a decrease or no change of gene expression. Fluctuation of NHE3 gene expression by BPA treatment at different concentrations was detected. These findings suggest that trans-generational exposure to BPA, even at low dose, could affect gene expression of water-transport related molecules. However, such effects of BPA would be differentially occurred in the ED and IS.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.23 no.8
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• pp.1118-1126
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• 2010

Male reproduction is influenced by a number of intrinsic and extrinsic factors, including environmental endocrine disruptors. Testosterone is a well recognized intrinsic regulator for development and function of the male reproductive tract, and thus male fertility. The testis and semen of many mammalians contain an unusually high concentration of estrogen. Testosterone is converted into estrogen by the enzymatic action of cytochrome P450 aromatase complex (Cyp19a1). Of the male reproductive tract, the efferent ductules (EDs) possess exceptionally elevated levels of estrogen receptors (ERs), ER${\alpha}$ and ER${\beta}$, indicating that estrogen, in addition to testosterone, would have a functional role in regulation of male reproduction. First, this review has focused on description and summary of what is currently known for functions of estrogen in the EDs. The biosynthetic pathway of estrogen occurring in the testis is briefly covered, following by detailed explanation of the morphology and physiology of EDs. In the next section, the sources and targets of estrogen in the male reproductive tract are highlighted, and possible functional roles of estrogen in the EDs are justified from the aspect of physiology, molecular biology, and morphology in adult animal models. Also, this section covers the importance of estrogen and ERs in maintaining normal function and morphology of the EDs during postnatal development. In the last part of this review, the effects of extrinsic factors, especially environmental endocrine-disruptors, on the EDs is summarized. The intent of this review is to emphasize the importance of estrogen for regulation of physiological function of the EDs, and thus male fertility.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.211-216
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• 2009

A cell frequently utilizes glucose as a fuel of energy and a major substrate of lipid and protein syntheses. A regulation of glucose movement into and out of the cells is precisely controlled by cooperative works of passive and sodium-dependent active processes. At least 13 glucose cotransporter (Slc2a, GLUT) isoforms involve in passive movement of glucose in cells. The efferent ductules (EDs) play in a number of important functions for maintenance of male fertility. In the present study, using real-time PCR analysis, we determined gene expression of five Slc2a isoforms in the EDs. In addition, we compared expression levels of these Slc2a isoforms according to postnatal development ages, 1 week, 2 weeks, 1 month, and 3 months. Results from the current study showed that expression of Slc2a1, Slc2a3, and Slc2a5 mRNAs reached the highest levels at 1 month of age, followed by a transient decrease at 3 months of age. In addition, the level of Slc2a4 mRNA reminded at steady until 1 month of age and was significantly reduced at 3 months of age, whereas the highest level of Slc2a 8 mRNA was detected at 2 weeks of age. Data from the present study indicate a differential expression of various Slc2a isoforms in the ED according to postnatal ages. Thus, it is believed that glucose movement through the epithelial cells in the ED would be regulated by the coordinated manner among Slc2a isoforms expressed at a given age.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.193-200
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• 2016

Male reproductive organs are strongly affected by estrogen signaling mediated via the estrogen receptor. In this study, propyl pyrazole triol (PPT), an estrogen receptor alpha agonist, was subcutaneously injected in adult male mice every 2 days for a total duration of 8, 16, or 24 days. Histological changes in the reproductive organs, including the testes, efferent ductules, and epididymides, were observed. The weight of the reproductive organs decreased in the PPT group. In addition, the diameter of the seminiferous tubules decreased in the PPT group compared with the control group. The epithelial cell height decreased in the initial segment of the epididymis, whereas the luminal diameter increased in the efferent ductules of the PPT group. PPT induced irregular morphology of stereocilia in the luminal region of the initial segment. Therefore, PPT treatment at high concentrations had inhibitory effects in the reproductive organs of adult male mice. These findings suggest that short-term treatment with estrogen receptor agonist causes histological changes in the testes, efferent ductules, and epididymis, which are similar to those caused by estrogen receptor antagonist treatment. Therefore, the estrogen receptor may have functional roles in male reproductive organs, implying that treatment with an estrogen receptor agonist can affect male fertility.