This work demonstrates similarities between epididymal basal cells and macrophages in the mouse. Light microscopic studies of the postnatal development of the murine epididymis showed that basal cells were not present before days 12, 14 and 16 in the cauda, caput and corpus epididymis, respectively. An increase in cell number per unit length of tubule perimeter was demonstrated in all segments between days 20 and 27, when testicular fluid and spermatozoa start entering the epididymis. In the adult, there were more basal cells per unit perimeter in the cauda than caput or corpus epididymis. Conspicuous and consistent expression by basal cells of antigens detected by antibodies against tissue-fixed macrophages (F4/80) and mature macrophages (Mac-1) occurred only after they became established within the epithelium. Basal cells in the cauda epididymis did not display either antigen in the adult, although they persisted in the caput region. Such developmental patterns are compatible with the hypothesis that basal cells play a role in immune defence against sperm autoantigens.

Some 30 years ago, alpha-chlorohydrin and some analogues were considered as close to the ideal contraceptive which acted rapidly and reversibly on the post-testicular maturation of spermatozoa. Despite their early promise, research funding was withdrawn only 5 years later because of what were considered to be unacceptable side-effects in primates. The literature on the toxic effects of these contraceptive agents was reviewed and was found to be wanting in respect to the rigour of scientific methods applied (impure compounds were used, inappropriate target populations were studied, excessive doses were employed, abstracts were cited from which no full publications subsequently arose). These compounds remain the closest approach yet to non-hormonal contraceptives for males and have led to the synthesis of related compounds which have a similar antifertility action but with much diminished toxicity. If toxicity remains a problem, a range of other compounds now known to have a similar antifertility action, should be investigated.

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