Fine Structure of the Epithelium of the Human Ejaculatory Duct

Abstract

Normal human ejaculatory ducts were examined by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The lumen, which shows an irregular shape due to complex mucosal folds, is lined by a simple secretory epithelium. A strong cell polymorphism has been observed concerning cell height, nuclear shape, and amount of secretory organelles. Apart from small differences, the epithelium appears to be identical to that of the seminal vesicle and deferential ampulla. These observations demonstrate that the human ejaculatory duct is not only a passage for semen, but also contributes to its formation.

Phagocytosis of spermatozoa and latex beads by epithelial cells of the ampulla vasis deferentis of the rabbit: A combined SEM and TEM study.

“…The fate of these ingested spermatozoa is essentially the same as that described in the epithelium of the same region of the vas deferens of the cat (MURAKAMI et al, 1984a) and the rat (COOPER and HAMILTON, 1977). Sporadic spermiophagy by epithelial cells has already been reported in other parts of the male reproductive system such as the seminiferous tubules (DYM, 1974;NYKANEN, 1979), rete testis (BURGOS and , 1975;HOLSTEIN, 1978;GOYAL, 1982), efferent ductules (GoYAL, 1982), ejaculatory duct (Cossu et al, 1983) and seminal vesicles (RIVA et al, 1981) in some mammals including man. In the lumen of the ampulla vasis deferentis, macrophages are often seen attached to the apical surface of the epithelial cells, and many of them are loaded with a cluster of spermatozoa (Fig.…”

Morphology and functions of the human seminal vesicle

“…Therefore the organs can be put together as an ampullo-vesiculo-ductal complex. A detailed description of ultrastructure is not necessary (for review see: Aumuller et al, Riva et al 1982;Cossu et al, 1983;Riva et al, 1989). The formerly described so-called duct cells containing short stubby microvilli, numerous micropinocytosis vesicles, and relatively sparse secretion granules have been identified as resting cells from the secretion cycle, since transition forms are observed between highly active and inactive cell types ( Fig.…”

Human ejaculatory duct: parameters of smooth muscle motor activity and modulatory role of autonomic drugs

“…However, our results indicate a possible physiological role for human ejaculatory ducts. On the basis of the present study and previous hystological work (Cossu et al 1983) we hypothesise that human ejaculatory duct acts as a unidirectional valve in order to avoid: (1) the reflux of spermatozoa towards the seminal vesicles during the expulsion of semen; (2) the reflux of the urine towards the superior spermatic pathways during micturition, observed by Goloboff et al (1995) as a complication of transurethral resection of ejaculatory ducts. The findings obtained in the present study may also have important clinical implications concerning the widespread use of a-blockers in the clinical treatment of urological complaints.…”