A light and scanning electron microscopic study of the epididymis active state of the endemic Mexican rodent Peromyscus winkelmanni (Carleton) (Rodentia : Muridae)

Abstract

The macroscopic and microscopic anatomy of the epididymis of the sexually mature Peromyscus winkelmanni (Carleton) was examined using light and scanning electron microscopy. The epididymis was divided into three regions: caput, corpus and cauda. The epididymal duct was lined with columnar and cubic epithelium with stereocilia and covered by a muscular connective tissue sheath. Capillaries appear to penetrate directly into the epithelium from the underlying connective tissue in the initial segment. The epididymal epithelium presents four cell types: principal, basal, apical and clear cells. Based on morphological differences (height of epithelial cells, length of the stereocilia, luminal area, larger diameter and spermatic index), the epididymis of P. winkelmanni, presents seven zones. The stereocilia of the epididymal ducts of zones I, II, IV and V are thick and tall, while in zone III they are thin and short. The stereocilia in zone VI are thin, while in zone VII they are short but thick. The secretory products observed in the lumen of the epididymal ducts have vesicular, granular and fibrous form in the seven zones. This study contributes to an understanding of the morphofunctional features of the epididymis in sperm maturation in a species that shows seasonal reproductive activity.