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At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

PubMed1976

Testosterone concentration in the fluids of seminiferous tubules, the interstitium and the rete testis of the rat.

Testosterone was measured by radioimmunoassay in interstitial fluid, 'free-flow' seminiferous tubular fluid, obtained by micropuncture, and rete testis fluid from intact adult anaesthetized rats. Under non-stimulated conditions the concentration of testosterone in interstitial fluid was below the limit of detection in two rats and achieved a mean level of 150 +/- 27 (S.E.M.) ng/ml in the remaining 17 determinations. The testosterone concentration of the seminiferous tubular fluid was below the limit of detection in two rats, and had a mean level in the remaining 15 determinations of 91 +/- 14 ng/ml, which is significantly lower (P less than 0-02) than that in interstitial fluid. The mean ratio of seminiferous tubular:interstitial fluid testosterone concentration calculated in 14 rats was 0-94 +/- 0.24. This ratio was less than unity whenever the interstitial fluid testosterone concentration was more than 50 ng/ml, whereas in all animals with interstitial fluid testosterone of 50 ng/ml, or less, the ratio was greater than or equal to one. The mean testosterone concentration of rete testis fluid in 32 samples was 33 +/- 3 ng/ml. After HCG stimulation in 12 rats, testosterone concentration in interstitial fluid increased to a mean value of 660 +/- 83 ng/ml, and in seminiferous tubular fluid to 460 +/- 44 ng/ml; the difference between the two was significant (P less than 0-05). These results are discussed in relation to the presumed dilution of seminiferous tubular fluid in rete testis fluid and the role of androgen-binding proteins in the transport of steroids.

Animals↗

PubMed1989

Adenocarcinoma of the rete testis with a spindle cell component. A possible metaplastic carcinoma.

A case of adenocarcinoma of the rete testis was encountered in a 36-year-old white man. The tumor fulfilled established criteria for determining origin in the rete and showed an unusual biphasic morphology with papillary adenocarcinoma mixed with a prominent component of cytologically malignant spindle cells. Immunohistochemical study demonstrated a positive reaction in the epithelium for cytokeratin and epithelial membrane antigen, and the cytoplasm of a few of the spindle cells also reacted with these antibodies. Electron microscopic study confirmed the biphasic pattern, showing epithelial gland formation and mesenchymal cells. The results indicate that this tumor is a metaplastic carcinoma of the rete testis. Recognition of this pattern of rete carcinoma may further enhance our knowledge of primary tumors at this unusual site.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed1988

Transitional cells at the junction of seminiferous tubules with the rete testis of the rat: their fine structure, endocytic activity, and basement membrane.

Transitional cells line the intermediate region of rat seminiferous tubules situated between the rete testis and the seminiferous epithelium proper. These tall elongated cells orient themselves in a downstream direction and converge on one another distally in the lumen of the rete testis where they form a distinct papillalike structure through which a narrow patent lumen is apparent. In addition to widely dispersed Golgi apparatus and mitochondria, these cells contain an abundance of microtubules, cisternae of endoplasmic reticulum, and a distinct lobulated nucleus showing clumps of chromatin and a prominent nucleolus. The endocytic activity of these cells was examined by employing adsorptive (cationic ferritin, concanavalin A ferritin) and fluid-phase tracers (native ferritin, horseradish peroxidase-colloidal gold complex, and concanavalin A ferritin in presence of alpha methyl-D-mannoside). Such tracers were injected separately into the lumen of the rete testis, and the animals were killed at 2, 5, 15, and 30 min and 1, 2, and 6 hr after injection. At 2 min, both adsorptive and fluid-phase tracers were found within coated and uncoated pits of the apical plasma membrane of these cells as well as in large, subsurface, uncoated spherical, C-shaped, and tubular membranous elements. At 5 min the tracers were seen in endosomes of different sizes; while at 15 min and 30 min, pale and dense multivesicular bodies of small and large sizes, respectively, were labeled. At 1-hr and longer time intervals secondary lysosomes became labeled. While both fluid-phase and adsorptive tracers followed the same pathway and fate, binding to the apical and lateral plasma membranes of the transitional cells and to the membrane delimiting coated and uncoated pits was observed only with the adsorptive tracers. These results demonstrate that the transitional cells are actively involved in both fluid-phase and adsorptive endocytosis, which may play an important role in modifying the composition of the luminal fluid. The transitional cells of the distal zone of the intermediate region rest on an elaborate basement membrane (BM) complex which includes a thin BM immediately underlying these cells, a thick distal layer of BM, and strands of BM spanning the distance between the two in the form of a loose anastomotic network. Use of antisera against heparan sulfate proteoglycan, laminin, and type IV collagen revealed the presence of all three components within all areas of the BM complex. In the meshes of the anastomotic BM network, extracellular vesicles were observed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Complex multilocular cystic lesion of rete testis, accompanied by smooth muscle hyperplasia, mimicking intratesticular Leydig cell neoplasm.

Non-neoplastic smooth muscle cell proliferation occurs under a variety of circumstances in many body organs. These abnormalities have been described as hypertrophy, hyperplasia or hamartomatous proliferations. In the male genital system, the excessive growth of smooth muscle in spermatic cord or paratesticular tissue is rare. In previously described cases, these lesions presented as masses but lacked the microscopic features of a neoplasm. We describe a complex multilocular cystic lesion composed of cystic transformation of the rete testis associated with smooth muscle proliferation mimicking intratesticular Leydig cell neoplasm. The lesion consists of three separate components: (1) cystic dilatation of the rete testis; (2) diffuse, interstitial smooth muscle proliferation with intraseptal expansion; and (3) extensive stroma with myxoid areas and scattered interstitial Leydig cells. These morphological findings, supported by a wide immunohistochemical panel, are consistent with cystic dilatation of the rete testis associated with smooth muscle hyperplasia, most probably of myoid origin. To the best of our knowledge, no similar complex lesion of the rete testis has yet been reported.

Adult↗

PubMed1984

Analysis of surface proteins of rat spermatozoa during epididymal transit and identification of antigens common to spermatozoa, rete testis fluid and cauda epididymal plasma.

Spermatozoa from the testis and cauda epididymidis of the rat were surface labelled with radioactive iodide, extracted with detergent, and the radioactive proteins separated by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. In some instances spermatozoa were also surface labelled with tritiated borohydride in the presence of galactose oxidase. Soluble proteins in blood serum, rete testis fluid and cauda epididymal plasma were also iodinated and separated by gel electrophoresis. In addition, aliquants of the radioactive sperm extracts, blood serum and reproductive tract fluids were each immunoprecipitated with polyspecific antisera directed against either testicular sperm membranes, caudal sperm membranes, blood serum, rete testis fluid or cauda epididymal plasma before gel electrophoresis. From the patterns of radioactive proteins detected on the resultant gels, a two-dimensional map was created for each of the sperm extracts and for the various fluids. Proteins which were nonhomologous between testicular and caudal spermatozoa were identified, as well as proteins which were common to spermatozoa and reproductive tract fluids. Epididymal transit was characterized by the loss of certain proteins from the sperm surface, including three borohydride-labelled proteins of Mr 130 000, and by the addition of others, most notably a highly abundant protein of Mr 42 000. Several of the proteins lost from spermatozoa accumulated in the epididymal plasma whilst some of those added to the sperm surface could be identified as direct secretory products of the epididymis. Rete testis fluid contained blood proteins in addition to others presumed to be testis-specific, whilst the composition of cauda epididymal plasma was markedly different from blood serum or rete testis fluid.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

PubMed1978

[Development of the seminiferious tubules and rete testis during the prenatal period of human ontogenesis].

The sources of origin and the peculiarities of formation of the seminal ducts and rete testis during the prenatal period of ontogenesis in man were studied. It has been established that the seminal duct sand the ducts of the rete testis form from the cellular cords of the coelomic epithelium and the primordial germ cells which appear simultaneously in the septum of the testis and the primordial germ cells which appear simultaneously in the septum of the testis and central part of its parenchyma in the embryos, 13.0--17.0 mm long. By plastic and graphic reconstruction, as well as by methods of subtle preparation under binocular microscope MBC-I control it was revealed that the seminal ducts anastomosed between themselves both within the limits of one and the adjacent lobules. The ducts of the rete testis do not form anastomoses, but superimpose over one another, creating an impression of a rete. Approaching the tunica albuginea they merge, continuing into the cuctuli efferentes testis.

Humans↗

PubMed1999

Dilatation of the rete testis: ultrasound study.

The aim of this study was to show the US findings in mode B and color Doppler duplex of the dilatation of the rete testis, in order to analyze its association with other scrotal processes and to confirm their inclusion into the benign testicular lesions. We present seven diagnosed cases (mean age 61 years) of dilatation of the rete testis to which a clinical control and US was accomplished up to 1 year. The scrotal sonography study was carried out with a linear probe of 7.5 Mhz. In the US examination we observed in all cases an intratesticular image located in the mediastinum testis constituted by anechoic and serpiginous tubular structures, which do not show any blood flow with the color Doppler. In one case the mentioned observations were bilateral. Five cases had cysts in epididymis and the last case showed an increase in size in the epididymis head. Color Doppler duplex examination did not detected flow dots in the seven patients. The dilatation of the rete testis is a benign entity frequently associated with pathology in epididymis, with specific US findings which permit avoidance of invasive tests.

Adult↗

PubMed1981

Seasonal variations in rete testis fluid secretion and sperm production in different breeds of ram.

Production of spermatozoa and secretion of rete testis fluid (RTF) in rams was assessed by a rete testis cannulating technique. Four breeds (Ile-de-France, Romanov, Préalpes du Sud and cross-breed Romanov) were studied throughout the year. Inhibitory effects of the cannulation process on spermatogenesis were observed for some animals. Between-breed differences were found in sperm concentration and flow rate of the RTF. The seasonal variations in the daily sperm production of the testis were more pronounced for Ile-de-France rams than for the other breeds. There was a seasonal variation in the flow rate of RTF in Ile-de-France rams, the minimum flow being in February (winter) and the maximum in August-September (autumn).

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Galactosyltransferase, pyrophosphatase and phosphatase activities in luminal plasma of the cauda epididymidis and in the rete testis fluid of some mammals.

Galactosyltransferase activity was measured in the luminal plasma of the cauda epididymidis of mice, rats, rabbits, rams and boars, and in the rete testis fluid of rams and boars. The activities of nucleotide pyrophosphatase and alkaline phosphatase, which compete with galactosyltransferase for substrate, were also determined. In these species, galactosyltransferase activity in the luminal plasma of the cauda epididymidis was similar when the inhibitory effect of pyrophosphatase and phosphatase was minimized by assay conditions. However, under assay conditions that did not minimize the effect of these enzymes, the galactosyltransferase activities of these species were very different and were inversely correlated with the activities of pyrophosphatase and phosphatase. The ratio of galactosyltransferase activity to pyrophosphatase and phosphatase activity was much higher in the rete testis fluid than in the luminal plasma of the cauda epididymidis in both rams and boars. In rams, galactosyltransferase in the luminal plasma of the cauda epididymidis was more heat resistant than that in serum. These results suggest that there is a species difference in the availability of galactosyltransferase activity in the luminal plasma of the cauda epididymidis and that in some species, galactosyltransferase in the luminal fluid is unlikely to have any function. The results are also discussed with respect to the possible function of galactosyltransferase, pyrophosphatase and phosphatase in epididymal luminal plasma and rete testis fluid.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

PubMed1988

Adenomatous hyperplasia of the rete testis.

A gland-like cellular proliferation was observed in the deepest portion of the rete testis in both testes from a 55-year-old man who died from metastasis of breast carcinoma to the brain. The gland-like proliferations consisted of columnar epithelial cells supported by a thin lamina propria. These cells displayed irregularly outlined nuclei with deep indentations. Atypias and mitoses were infrequent. The term 'adenomatous hyperplasia of the rete testis' is proposed to designate the benign lesion reported here.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed2001

Blockage of the rete testis and efferent ductules by ectopic Sertoli and Leydig cells causes infertility in Dax1-deficient male mice.

DAX-1, an X-linked member of the orphan nuclear receptor superfamily of transcription factors, plays a key role in sex determination and gonadal differentiation. Dax1-deficient male mice are infertile and have small testes despite normal serum levels of T and gonadotropins. Examination of Dax1-deficient testes reveals dilated seminiferous tubules and abnormal parameters of sperm fertilizing capability consistent with a possible obstruction in the testis. To test this hypothesis, we performed a comprehensive evaluation of the male reproductive tract in Dax1-deficient mice. Light and electron microscopic examination revealed the rete testis is blocked by aberrantly located Sertoli cells, creating a tailback of necrosing sperm in the testis. Sertoli cells also obstruct the proximal and middle efferent ductules, and this is accompanied by an overgrowth of the efferent duct epithelium. Seminiferous tubules close to the rete testis contain ectopic Leydig cells, distinct from the hyperplastic Leydig cells present in the interstitial space. The peritubular tissue surrounding these tubules is frequently abnormal, containing relatively undifferentiated myoid cells and no basement membrane between the myoid cells and Sertoli cells. A third of aged (>1-yr-old) Dax1-deficient male mice develop sex cord-stromal tumors, derived from cells of the Sertoli/granulosa cell or Leydig cell lineages. Combined, these observations reveal abnormal differentiation and proliferation of Leydig cells and Sertoli cells in Dax1-deficient male mice, leading to obstruction of the rete testis and infertility.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

[Pagetoid spread of intratubular germ cell neoplasia into rete testis forming tumor-like mass].

Intratubular germ cell neoplasia (ITGCN) is the preinvasive phase of testicular germ cell tumors. ITGCN can spread into the rete testis in a pagetoid manner, but there are very few published data about this phenomenon. Furthermore, the tumor-like mass formed by ITGCN with pagetoid spread into the rete testis has not been documented to date, and the present case is the first to be reported. A tumor-like mass was found close to the superior pole of the left testis in a 39-year-old male and was unrelated to the epididymis. Three other nodules of seminoma surrounded by fibroconnective tissue existed next to the mass. Histological sections revealed ITGCN which was characterized by the presence of large and polygonal germ cells exhibiting clear cytoplasm with distinct cell borders. The cytoplasm was rich in glycogen and the cell membrane was immunohistochemically positive for placental alkaline phosphatase. The nuclei had less coarse chromatin than that of seminoma. ITGCN cells spread in between the lining epithelium of the rete and the basement membrane. This characteristic spread was consistent with pagetoid spread into the rete testis.

Adult↗

PubMed1990

Influence of rete testis fluid deprivation on the kinetic parameters of goat epididymal 5 alpha-reductase.

A surgical technique to cannulate the rete testis of the goat was utilized to examine the effects of rete testis fluid (RTF) deprivation on the enzymatic activity of epididymal 5 alpha-reductase. Kinetic techniques were used to determine whether the regional enzymatic effect of RTF deprivation is to decrease the apparent number of 5 alpha-reductase active sites or the catalytic activity of each active site within the epididymal epithelium. Paired comparisons of (Vmax)app and (Km)app values between control and RTF-deprived epididymides indicated that RTF deprivation affected the value of (Vmax)app with no apparent change in the values of (Km)app in caput, corpus, and cauda epididymal regions. We conclude that RTF deprivation in the goat epididymis for 7 days results in a decreased number of apparent 5 alpha-reductase active sites within the epididymal epithelium.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Pronounced cystic transformation of the Rete testis. MRI appearance.

BACKGROUND: Cystic transformation of the rete testis is a little-known partial or complete obstruction of the spermatozoa-containing secretion of the head of the epididymis. Depending on its severity, either ectasia or a cystic transformation occurs, which spreads to the network of convoluted seminiferous tubules in the mediastinum testis. Findings in contrast-enhanced MRI examinations are characteristic and may help to differentiate this benign entity from malignant neoplasia. The authors present two pronounced cases in different stages, documenting the broad spectrum of possible involvement.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The correlation between the gossypol contents in blood plasma, rete testis fluid, and cauda epididymal fluid following chronic treatment with gossypol in rats.

Concentrations of gossypol in blood plasma, rete testis fluid, and fluid from the caudia epididymidis were measured simultaneously by high performance liquid chromatography in rats treated with gossypol (15 mg/kg daily for 3 weeks). Antispermatogenic effects were demonstrated by loss of sperm motility in the cauda epididymidis and structural changes in the testis. It was found in these treated rats that concentrations of gossypol were lower in rete testis fluid compared with blood plasma but increased significantly in fluid from the cauda epididymidis. The results indicate a restriction of the blood-testis barrier to gossypol and its local concentration in the epididymis after fluid resorption.

Animals↗

PubMed1979

[Transformation of the rete ovarii into a rete testis and the epoophoron into an epididymis after experimental sex reversal in Gallus domesticus].

Transformation of the rete ovarii into a rete testis and of the epoophoron into an epididymis after experimental sex reversal in Gallus domesticus is described. After castration of female chicks, the medulla of the left ovary and/or the right gonadal rudiment develop into a testoid or an ovotestis. From general view, this is observed as sex reversal. In case of formation of a testoid, the epoophoron develops into an epididymis and the rete ovarii develops into a rete testis which consists of intra- and extratesticular and intracapsular parts. Thus, a luminated duct system is developed which allows the transport of semen. In case of formation of an ovotestis, the discontinuously side-by-side located parts of the rete ovarii and of the epoophoron are maintained.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

Coexpression of different cytokeratins, vimentin and desmin in the rete testis and epididymis in the dog.

The expression patterns of low and high molecular weight cytokeratins (LCK and HCK) vimentin and desmin were investigated by immunocytochemistry in the rete testis and epididymis in the dog. The epithelium of the rete testis displayed coexpression of LCK, vimentin and desmin. The epithelium of the efferent ductules was composed of ciliated and nonciliated cells; the ciliated cells expressed LCK strongly. The epithelium of the epididymal duct was composed of principal, apical and basal cells. Principal cells in the duct of the head of the epididymis displayed LCK and vimentin, with a predominance of LCK in the apical cytoplasmic regions and vimentin in the basal portions of the cells. Expression of vimentin in the principal cells decreased towards the body of the epididymis and disappeared in the tail region, where LCK remained unchanged. Apical cells of the epididymal duct expressed LCK. Basal cells in the duct of the head and body of the epididymis showed LCK and those of the duct of the body of the epididymis also HCK expression.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Rete testis adenocarcinoma recurring in the inguinal lymph nodes. A case report.

Adenocarcinoma of the rete testis is a rare neoplasm with 41 reported cases in the literature till 1994. In most of the reported cases, the neoplasm presents as a scrotal mass with diffuse enlargement. The aetiology is unknown and the clinical course of the tumour is not very well defined. In six of the reported cases metastatic spread of the tumour to inguinal lymph nodes was demonstrated in the follow-up. We report herein a distinctive case of rete testis adenocarcinoma presenting as an isolated inguinal recurrence one year after radical orchiectomy.

Adenocarcinoma↗