![]() | Only 14 pages are availabe for public view |
Abstract Ca SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION a-) SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION Summary: The epididymis has a secretory and absorptive functions that are believed to be related to maturation and storage of the sperms. These functions are carried out by the various cells of the epididymal epithelium. Because of the increasing use of vasectomy in human as a method of male contraception, it is important to determine the effects of vasectomy on the parts of the male reproductive tract. So, this work aimed to study: the differentiation of the epithelial cells lining the rat epididymis on postnatal weeks (2,5 & 8) by light and electron microscopic analysis; structure of testis and epididymis of adult rat as a control group by light and electron microscopes and the effects of vasectomy on the testis and epididymis at intervals 1,2 and 5 months by light and electron microscopic analysis. Seventy male albino rats were used in this study. They were divided into three groups: developmental group (30), adult control group (10) and vasectomized group (30). The developmental group was subdivided into three subgroups according to age: two weeks, five weeks and eight weeks of postnatal life for studying the structure and differentiation of epididymal epithelium. The vasectomized group was subdivided into three subgroups which were sacrificed at one, two and five months after vasectomy. As regard the developmental group: The epididymal duct of rat aged two weeks, was lined by undifferentiated epithelium which was single layer of columnar non ciliated cells with a uniform height. The tot ol SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION EC) halo cells appeared along the whole the length of the duct. The smooth muscle layers were not evident, but the duct was supported by a relatively large amounts of connective tissue. By five weeks, the epithelium showed cellular differentiation. Columnar cells with basal nuclei (principal cells), basal cells which were traingular in shape lying on the basement membrane, narrow cells became easily seen at this age, apical cells and halo cells. The stereocilia appeared along the whole length of the duct. Spermatids were found in the lumen but without sperms. The smooth muscle coat became more prominent and the supporting connective tissue was reduced. On reaching the age of eight weeks, the epithelium appeared pseudostratified with more cellular differentiation. The principal cells were the commonest cell type. Basal, apical and halo cells were few in numbers and found throughout the length of the epididymal duct. The narrow cells were seen only in the head region of epididymis, while the clear (light) cells were seen only in the tail region of epididymis. The lumen of the epididymal duct was packed with sperms particularly in the tail region. As regard the vasectomized group: Vasectomy produces a picture of allergic orchitis which is characterized by depletion of germ cells, degenerative changes of spermatids, infilteration of the seminiferous tubules with macrophages and later severe reduction of spermatogenesis. The most germ cell type which was affected by vasectomy was the spermatids. The vasectomy also produces the following changes on the epididymis: dilatation of epididymal duct which may lead to rupture of the duct with subsequent granuloma formation; interstitial inflammatory reaction; appearance of intra-epithelial cavities and engorgement of some columnar cells with absorbed fluid. Vasectomy creates different ways for removing the sperms such as phagocytosis of ca SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION so sperm in granuloma; intraluminal phagocytosis, dissolution of sperms in the lumen of epididymis and increasing the absorptive and digestive power of epididymal epithelium. Conclusion: At the age of two weeks, the epididymal epithelium was undifferentiated. On reaching the age of five weeks, the epididymal epithelium became differentiated. At the age of eight weeks, the epididymal epithelium became fully differentiated and reached the adult state. The vasectomy is not the ideal method of male contraception because it is not free from the deleterious effects on the testis and epididymis. Recommendation: We can recommend the followings: 1-To study the effect of vasovasostomy after vasectomy on testis and epididymis. 2-More studies to prevent the deleterious effects of vasectomy on testis and epididymis. ?0.117-A |