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The lamina propria of the bovine seminiferous tubule

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Summary

The boundary tissue of bovine testicular seminiferous tubules exhibits remarkable regional differences at the level of the seminiferous tubule proper, as compared with its terminal segment. The basal lamina of the seminiferous tubule proper is multilayered and possesses knob-like protrusions. At the level of the terminal segment the basal lamina is highly specialized; in the region of the terminal plug candelabrum-like projections of the tubular basal lamina invade the bases of the modified supporting cells up to a depth of 3.5 μm. The adjoining surface of these supporting cells is densely studded with hemidesmosomes. The elongated peritubular cells are arranged in 3–5 concentric layers around the tubulus seminiferus proper but form a loose association at the level of the terminal segment. Where the terminal segment joins the testicular straight tubule, peritubular cells may assemble to constitute a contractile spiral. Elastic tissue is situated mainly subjacent to the tubular basal lamina and to a lesser degree between the peritubular cell layers. A peritubular space lined by endothelium-like cells may surround the seminiferous tubule proper and also the transitional zone of the terminal segment.

Zusammenfassung

Die Membrana propria der Hodentubuli des Rindes weist im Bereich des eigentlichen Tubulus seminiferus contortus und seines Terminalsegmentes bemerkenswerte regionale Unterschiede auf. Die Basallamina des eigentlichen Tubulus seminiferus hat einen geschichteten Bau und besitzt knopfförmige Verdickungen. Im Terminalsegment zeigt die Basallamina eine zunehmende Spezialisierung; in Höhe des terminalen Pfropfes besitzt sie kandelaberartige Fortsätze, die bis zu einer Tiefe von 3,5 μm in die Basalabschnitte der hier gelegenen modifizierten Stützzellen vordringen. Die der Basallamina anliegende Oberfläche dieser Stützzellen bildet eine große Anzahl von Halbdesmosomen aus. Die flachen peritubulären Zellen umgeben mit 3–5 konzentrischen Lagen den eigentlichen Tubulus seminiferus und formieren sich im Terminalsegment zu einem stark aufgelockerten Verband. Am Übergang vom Terminalsegment zum Tubulus rectus können sich peritubuläre Zellen zu einer kontraktilen Spirale zusammenlagern. Alle peritubulären Zellen des Rindes sind dem Typ nach als Myofibroblasten einzuordnen. Elastisches Gewebe ist vor allem unter der tubulären Basallamina und in geringerer Menge auch zwischen den peritubulären Zellagen festzustellen. Um den eigentlichen Tubulus seminiferus und um die Übergangszone des Terminalsegments kann ein peritubulärer Spaltraum ausgebildet sein, der allseits von flachen endothelähnlichen Zellen begrenzt wird.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institut für Anatomie, Universität Regensburg, Universitätsstraße 31, D-8400, Regensburg, Federal Republic of Germany

    Karl-Heinz Wrobel (Prof.), Roswitha Mademann & Fred Sinowatz

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  1. Karl-Heinz Wrobel
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  2. Roswitha Mademann
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  3. Fred Sinowatz
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Wrobel, KH., Mademann, R. & Sinowatz, F. The lamina propria of the bovine seminiferous tubule. Cell Tissue Res. 202, 357–377 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00220431

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