Histological, histochemical and ultrastructural characterizations of the epididymal region of the turkey (Meleagrisgallopavo)

Histological, histochemical and ultrastructural studies were performed on the epididymal regions of ten adult sexually mature apparently healthy male native turkeys (Meleagrisgallopavo). The epididymis of turkey was consisted of extra testicular rete, efferent ductules, connecting ductules, and the epididymal duct. The rete testis were lined by squamous to cuboidal cells, while the proximal efferent ductules were lined by pseudo stratified columnar of ciliated, non-ciliated type I and basal cells. The distal efferent ductules were lined by pseudo stratified columnar of ciliated, non-ciliated type II and basal cells. However, the connecting ductules were wide and narrow lined by pseudo stratified columnar of ciliated, non-ciliated type III and occasional basal cells of regular lumen. Narrow connecting ductules consist mainly of ciliated cells while wide consist of non-ciliated. The epididymal duct lined by pseudo stratified non ciliated columnar and basal cells of same size and intensity. Histochemically the reactivity for PAS was detected in the supra nuclear cytoplasm and luminal borders of the efferent ductular epithelium, intraepithelial gland of the epididymal duct and the basement membrane of various ducts and ductules. While such reactivity not seen in the connecting ductules.