• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.25-39
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• 1997

The morphology of the ductuli efferentes of the Korean native pheasants were observed in order to obtain a basic data for further studying reproductive physiology and other male genital organs. The mature (14-16 months after hatching) male pheasants were used in this study. The specimens from pheasants were collected on a monthly basis. The general morphological changes of the ductuli efferentes were observed with hematoxylineosin stain, and semithin section by light microscope. The ultrastructural changes of the ductuli efferentes were investigated with ultrathin section by transmission electron microscope. The results obtained are summarized as follows : 1. During the breeding season, the average height of ductuli efferentes epithelium was $23.45{\pm}2.34{\mu}m$ and was largely decreased by $17.85{\pm}2.01{\mu}m$ during the non-breeding season. The thickeness of interstitial tissue was comparatively increased during the non-breeding season. 2. During the breeding season, the epithelial cells of ductuli efferentes were well developed. During the non-breeding season, epithelial layer and lumen of ductuli efferentes, were markedley reduced compared with those of breeding season. 3. Morphological changes of the ductuli efferentes underwent periodic changes paralleling to the spermatogenic cycle. 4. At least two different cell types were identified in the epithelium of ductuli efferentes, namely non-ciliated and ciliated cells. 5. The ciliated cells possess many vesicles, slightly smaller than those of the non-ciliated cells. 6. The ciliated cells contained numerous mitochondria, smooth and rough endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi complex, lysosome, and oval nuclei. The non-ciliated cells had a irregular nuclei and a cytoplasm containing few organelles. 7. During the breeding season, a number of vesicles, rough and smooth endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi complex, and mitochondria were distinctively showed in the epithelial cells but in the non-breeding season only a few observed.