T and B Lymphocyte Subsets in Spermatic Granulomas in Five Rams

Abstract

Abstract. Epididymal sperma tic granu lomas from five adult (>4 years old) rams from a commercial flock were evaluated by qu antitative histologic methods. Sections were stained for isotype specific im munoglobulin (Ig)-containing cells or specific lym phocyte subsets, as indicated by plasma membrane staining with monoclonal antibodies (MoAb). For the purpose of ana lysis, individual spermatic gran ulomas were allocat ed to one of three groups (early , reso lving , or int erm ediate) on the basis of histologic examination. Ig-cont aining cells were most prevalent in earl y sper matic granulomas, and IgG-containing cells predominated in all sper ma tic granulomas regardl ess of their presum ed age. IgM immunoglobulin-containing cells were the next in prevalence, and 19A-containing cells were infrequent. Assessment of lymphocyte subsets confirmed that lymphocytes present were of both T-and B-celilineage and were well repr esent ed in all spermatic granulomas. CD4 + (MHC Class Ilrestricted " helper" ) T-cells were more prevalent in early spermatic granulomas than in int erm ediate or resolving types, while CD8 + (MHC Class I-restricted, "c yto toxic/s uppressor") T-cells were more prevalent in spermatic granulomas of the intermediate type. T hese result s suggest that in addition to an essentia lly foreign bod y reaction to extrav asa ted sperma tozoa , both local production of antibody and accumulati on of a variety of B-and T-Iymphocytes ar e present in ov ine sperma tic granulomas.

Distribution of CD68‐, CD8‐, MHCI‐ and MHCII‐positive cells in the bull and ram testis and epididymis

“…Saravanamuthu et al. () reported to have observed a similar distribution for CD8 + cells and MHCI and MHCII in sheep. Similarly, in the present study, MHCI‐ and CD8‐positive cells were found to display a rather weak presence in the epididymal epithelium and were not observed in the interstitial stroma.…”

“…In the sheep epididymis, CD8 + cells were distributed in the epithelial, subepithelial and interstitial regions (Saravanamuthu et al., ). Ritchie, Hargreave, James, and Chisholm (), who observed similar findings, suggested that intraepithelial CD8 + lymphocytes were a complementary component of the “blood–testis” barrier that prevents any major reaction against intraluminal spermatozoa.…”

“…Along its journey through the curved tubules, the male gamete acquires its fertilizing ability (Cooper, ). Inflammatory lesions, which are more frequently observed in the epididymis, vas deferens and testis, and secondarily observed in the other parts of the male genital canal, may cause congenital defects and genital infections (Saravanamuthu, Foster, Ladds, & Gorrell, ). Macrophages and lymphocytes have been reported to be found in the epithelium and interstitial tissue of not only the testes but also the epididymis (Filippini et al., ; Frenette, Légaré, Saez, & Sullivan, ).…”

Pathologic evaluation of testis and epididymis of hairy rams in the semi-arid region of Piaui State

“…Similar alterations were also described in Scotland (MacLaren, 1988). Other studies investigated the probable causes of testicular hypoplasia (Galloway et al, 1992), sperm stasis and orchitis in rams (Ashdown and Ford, 1967;Krishna et al, 1977), and described the morphology of spermatic granuloma (Saravanamuthu et al, 1991). Testicular and epididymal alterations, similar to those observed in rams, were also studied in goats (Vinha et al, 1980), cattle Maia et al, 1983), and roosters (Santa Rosa et al, 1981).…”

“…Orchitis in rams can be of infectious or immune origin (Saravanamuthu et al, 1991). This injury can be associated to the degeneration and it seems to be a frequent event due to heat caused by inflammation of the infected testis, as observed in dogs (McEntee, 1990).…”