Summary
The human rete testis was examined with regard to 1) the number and distribution of entrances of seminiferous tubules, 2) the light microscopic topography and 3) details of the passages as revealed by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. In a newborn 1474 entrances were counted, approximately 50 % entering from the right and 50 % from the left of the central long axis. Three major subdivisions of the rete were distinguished and described: a septal (or interlobular) part represented by tubuli recti, a tunical (or mediastinal) part which is a true network of channels, and an extratesticular part characterized by dilatations (up to 3 mm wide) which we have called bullae retis. In SEM, cylindrical strands running from wall to wall in the tunical and extratesticular rete spaces are a prominent feature. We have called these chordae retis. They are covered by epithelium and are 5–40 μm wide and 15 to more than 100 μm long. They contain a peculiar tissue consisting of central myoid cells in a fibroelastic matrix. The smaller chordae are avascular. In the light of these findings the rete is interpreted as a highly complex myoelastic sponge. Its function is discussed.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Alverdes, K.: Der Zentralgeißelapparat der Epithelzellen im Rete Testis des Menschen. Z. mikr.-anat. Forsch. 11, 172–180 (1927)
Anderson, T.F.: Techniques for the preservation of three-dimensional structure in preparing specimens for the electron microscope. Trans. N.Y. Acad. Sci. 13, 130–134 (1951)
Benoit, M.J.: Recherches anatomiques, cytologiques et histologiques sur les voies excrétrices du testicule chez les mammiféres. Arch. Anat. micr. 5, 175–412 (1926)
Bernard, H.: Die Frühentwicklung des Rete testis beim Menschen. Inaug.-Dissert. Bern (1945)
Bustos-Obregón, E., Holstein, A.F.: The rete testis in man: ultrastructural aspects. Cell Tiss. Res. 175, 1–15 (1976)
Cavicchia, J.C., Burgos, M.H.: Tridimensional reconstruction and histology of the intratesticular seminal pathway in the hamster. Anat. Rec. 187, 1–10 (1977)
Davis, J.R., Langford, G.A., Kirby, P.J.: The testicular capsule. In: The testis (Johnson, A.D., Gomez, W.R. and Vandemark, N.L., eds.), Vol. I, pp. 281–337. New York-London: Academic Press 1970
Dym, M.: The mammalian rete testis — a morphological examination. Anat. Rec. 186, 493–524 (1976)
Henle, J.: Handbuch der Eingeweidelehre des Menschen, 2nd ed. Braunschweig 1873
Hermes, R.: Die Epithelverhältnisse in den Ausführungsgängen der männlichen Geschlechtsdrüsen. Inaug.-Dissert. Rostock (1893)
Holstein, A.F.: Die glatte Muskulatur in der Tunica albuginea des Hodens und ihr Einfluß auf den Spermatozoentransport in den Nebenhoden. Anat. Anz. 121, 103–108 (1968)
Ito, S., Winchester, R.J.: The fine structure of the gastric mucosa in the bat. J. Cell Biol. 16, 541–549 (1963)
Kajikawa, K., Yamagamachi, T., Katsuda, S., Miwa, A.: An improved electron stain for elastic fibres using tannic acid. J. electron Microsc. 24, 87–289 (1975)
Langford, G.A., Heller, C.G.: Fine structure of muscle cells of the human testicular capsule: basis of testicular contraction. Science 179, 573–575 (1973)
Lauth, E.: Mémoire sur le testicule humain. Mém. Soc. d'hist. nat. Vol. I, pp. 1–42. Strasbourg-Paris 1830
Lohmüller, W.: Die Übergangsstellen der gewundenen in die “geraden” Hodenkanälchen des Menschen. Z. mikr.-anat. Forsch. 3, 147–178 (1925)
Luft, J.H.: Improvements in epoxy resin embedding methods. J. biophys. biochem. Cytol. 9, 409–414 (1961)
Majno, G., Gabbiam, G., Hirschel, B.J., Ryan, G.B., Statkov, P.R.: Contraction of granulation tissue in vitro. Similarity with smooth muscle. Science 173, 548–549 (1971)
Mihalcovics, V.: Beiträge zur Anatomie und Histologie des Hodens. Ber. math.-physik. Cl. d. Kgl. sächs. Ges. d. Wissensch., pp. 225ff. (Reference not available to us.) 1873
Reynolds, E.S.: The use of lead citrate at high pH as an electron-opaque stain in electron microscopy. J. Cell Biol. 17, 208–212 (1963)
Roosen-Runge, E.C.: The rete testis in the albino rat: its structure, development and morphological significance. Acta anat. (Basel) 45, 1–30 (1961)
Setchell, B.P.: Testicular blood supply, lymphatic drainage and secretion of fluid. In: The testis (Johnson, A.D., Gomez, W.R. and Vandermark, N.L., eds.), Vol. I, pp. 101–239. New York-London: Academic Press 1970
Spangaro, S.: Über die histologischen Veränderungen des Hodens, Nebenhodens und Samenleiters von der Geburt bis zum Greisenalter. Anat. H. 18, 593–771 (1901)
Stieve, H.: Männliche Genitalorgane. In: von Möllendorff's Handb. d. mikr. Anat. des Menschen, Vol. 7/2. Springer: Berlin 1930
Wagenen, G. van, Simpson, M.E.: Embryology of the ovary and testis, Homo sapiens and Macaca mulatta. New Haven-London: Yale U. Press 1965
Wilson, K.M.: Origin and development of the rete ovarii and the rete testis in the human embryo. Contrib. Embryol. Carnegie Inst. Wash. 17, 69–88 (1926)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Supported in part by USPHS Grant HD-03752 and by a Senior Scientist Award from the Alexander von Humboldt-Stiftung which made the co-authorship possible
Supported by a grant from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft
For their kind support in supplying us with material, we are indebted to Dr. Janssen (Institut für Rechtsmedizin, Universität Hamburg), Dr. Mairose (Zentralkrankenhaus der Justizbehörde, Hamburg) and Dr. Hubman (Allgemeines Krankenhaus St. Georg, Hamburg). We thank Dr. Kaiser (Zoologisches Institut, Universität Hamburg) for his friendly, generous and competent help with the scanning electron microscopy. Ms. Joanna Davis gave invaluable help with the laborious reconstruction of the rete entrances
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Roosen-Runge, E.C., Holstein, A.F. The human rete testis. Cell Tissue Res. 189, 409–433 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00209130
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00209130