A transgenic mouse approach was used to examine the mechanism of principal cell-specific expression of aquaporin-2 (AQP2) within the renal collecting duct. RT-PCR and immunocytochemistry revealed that murine AQP2 was expressed in principal cells in the renal collecting duct, epithelial cells of the vas deferens, and seminiferous tubules within testis. The vas deferens expression was confirmed i...

Epididymal agenesis is defined as the absence of the epididymis totally or segmentally, unilateral or bilateral, which is secondary to the Wolffian duct malformation (1). Rete testis, epididymis, vas deferens and seminal vesicle are believed to develop from Wolffian ducts.

The ductus deferens of the mouse contains a major protein with a molecular weight of 34.5 kd called mouse vas deferens protein (MVDP). Immunofluorescence histochemistry and immunoblotting with monoclonal antibodies have been used to investigate the localization, tissue, and species distribution, androgen-regulation, and developmental expression of this protein. Consistent positive immunoreactio...

The medial and distal vasa deferentia and terminal ampullae of Penaeus setiferus and P. vannamei were studied by light and electron microscopy to assess their roles in spermatophore formation. The ascending medial vas deferens of each species consisted of 2 parallel epitheliumlined ducts, referred to as the spermatophoric and accessory ducts, with the accessory duct fitting into a groove along ...

To investigate the biology of the male genital duct epithelium, we have established cell cultures from the ovine vas deferens and epididymis epithelium. These cells develop tight junctions, high transepithelial electrical resistance, and a lumen-negative transepithelial potential difference as a sign of active transepithelial ion transport. In epididymis cultures the equivalent short-circuit cu...

A 33-year-old male presented to the Chiba University Hospital with the main complaint of right flank pain. Bilateral vas deferens were not palpable. Hormonal examination revealed hypergonadotropic hypogonadism and cytogenetic studies a 47, XXY karyotype. The significance of the association of this karyotype with the absence of vas deferens is discussed. Hideki Fuse, MD, Department of Urology, S...

Polyclonal antibodies against semenogelin (SG) isolated from human seminal vesicle secretion and acid phosphatase (PAP), beta-microseminoprotein (beta-MSP), and Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) derived from human prostatic fluid, as well as a monoclonal antibody against beta-MSP were used for immunocytochemical detection of the respective antigens in different organs from different species. SG i...

The distal end of the ductus deferens of Seminatrix pygaea (Cope) differs from more proximal portions of the tube by possessing a highly fluctuated epithelium. Similar morphology has been reported in this area in one lizard and some mammals and the region has been designated in these taxa as the ampulla ductus deferentis. In this study, light and transmission electron microscopy were used to st...

During sex differentiation, androgens are essential for development of the male genital tract. The Wolffian duct is an androgen-sensitive target tissue that develops into the epididymis, vas deferens, and seminal vesicle. The present study aimed to identify androgen-regulated proteins that are involved in development of Wolffian duct-derived structures. We have used male mouse embryos transgeni...

We have examined the effects of bile duct ligation on vascular and extravascular smooth muscle responsiveness to noradrenaline and tyramine using isolated rat hindlimb perfusion, and portal vein and vas deferens preparations. Bile duct ligation reduced the contractile responses to noradrenaline of vascular and extravascular smooth muscle. Exposure of smooth muscle to some bile salts caused a re...